The City ended the first quarter of 2021 with an overall surplus of $6.5 million, according to an update the Committee received in the 2021 Operating and Capital Budget – Q1 status report. Ottawa ended the first quarter with a $12.7 million surplus for programs supported by property taxes and a $6.2 million deficit for rate-supported services like water, sewer and storm water.
The update outlines expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which cost the City $27.5 million in tax-based expenses and $5.7 million in rate-based expenses. Those expenses were offset by $25.5 million in federal and provincial funding. Ottawa spent $1.5 million on its vaccination program, expenses the City anticipates it will recover from provincial Ministry of Health funding.
