Greater Sudbury posted $9.5M budget surplus in 2024

Greater Sudbury city council is seen in this file photo. Documents released Monday say that higher-than-expected revenues helped the city post a $9.5 million budget surplus last year.

Documents released Monday say that higher-than-expected revenues helped Greater Sudbury post a $9.5 million budget surplus last year.

The biggest single area was investment earnings were $13.8 million higher than expected, $240,000 more in slots revenue from the casino and $3.3 million in savings by not filling staff vacancies.

Offsetting the increased revenue were over expenditures in some city departments. For example, animal control was over budget by $300,000 because of emergency vet costs, staffing costs and lower-than-expected canine licence sales.

Security and bylaw were also $300,000 over because of expanded 24/7 security operations.

WSIB claims $1.4M higher

WSIB claims were $1.4 million higher than expected, and legal counsel costs were $465,000 higher because of things like grievance mediation and arbitration cases.

The finance department also spent $545,000 more than expected, largely because of legal costs appealing mining property assessment cases to MPAC.

Leisure and cemetery services went $1.7 million over budget, in part due to “due to aging recreation facilities and parks.”

“Furthermore, additional costs for parks are related to an increased removal of aged and diseased trees, watering services, increased maintenance required on aging playgrounds and park fixtures in poor condition,” a staff report said.

“It also includes increased costs associated with Centre for Life washroom and Memorial Park maintenance and responses to encampments and illegal dumping in other areas of the community.”

Other departments that missed their budget targets include city transit, where fare revenue was $1.7 million lower than expected, offset by energy savings of $345,000, advertising revenue of $118,000 and operating savings of $153,000.

On the plus side, a stronger market for recycled materials boosted revenue by $600,000, additional blue box program funding revenue totalled $800,000, tipping fee revenues were $500,000 more than forecast, all helping the Environment Services department to an under-expenditure of $2.3 million.

Building services ($3.6 million) also came in under budget.

Read the full report here. It will be reviewed by the finance committee June 17.