Latest news with #JeffBrowaty
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Costco seeks to build new store in RM of West St. Paul
Costco has its eye on West St. Paul. The global big box retailer is seeking to build a nearly 162,000-square-foot store just outside Winnipeg's northern boundary. If approved, the site will mark Costco's fifth Manitoba hub. It's proposing 1,070 parking stalls and a seasonal outdoor garden centre. The warehouse — covering 71 and 81 Meadowlands Dr. — would include an eatery and auto service station. 'I think it is a good location,' said Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan), whose riding neighbours the Rural Municipality of West St. Paul. 'It would be nice if it was in the city of Winnipeg for the tax revenue, but regardless, I still think this is a good location.' Undeveloped multi-family and commercial space lies near the roughly 21 acres Costco has circled. The Meadowlands Drive parcel is inside the Perimeter Highway, at the road's southwest intersection with Main Street. 'Getting people in and out of that area, that's a positive aspect,' Browaty said. Both the municipality and northwest Winnipeg have growing populations, he noted. Costco tapped WSP Canada to represent it during its application process. Its proposal has circulated to the municipal and provincial governments. The RM is holding a public hearing on the matter on June 12. Costco aims to decrease the number of required loading spaces on the property from seven to four, an application notice reads. West St. Paul has 'no comment or concerns' regarding the change, per a memo from Pam Elias, the municipality's director of planning and economic development. Costco didn't respond to questions by print deadline. As a rule, the corporation doesn't comment on new locations until they're almost open. Shovels have hit the ground on a Costco at 4077 Portage Ave. In July 2024, the City of Winnipeg issued Costco a permit to build a 166,894-sq.-ft. store. Winnipeg has three operational Costcos: on Regent Avenue, McGillivray Boulevard and St. James Street. There are rumblings the St. James location will transition to a Costco business centre, Browaty said. 'Having four regular centres plus a business centre, I think, probably is appropriate for Winnipeg,' he added. The current locales are 'jam-packed,' noted shopper Aaron Safioles. He lives in North Kildonan and travels to Regent during his Costco excursions. A West St. Paul spot — maybe four kilometres away from his place — would be welcome, he said. 'It's going to … spread out shopping,' Safioles added, mentioning the congestion around urban Costcos. 'They're ridiculous to get in and out to, even in the middle of the day on like a Tuesday.' Winnipeg Transit doesn't reach West St. Paul. However, most Costco patrons likely don't haul their purchases home on a bus, Browaty said. 'It might've been a desirable feature for … employees that work at Costco to potentially use transit,' he added. Costco's net sales in 2024 totalled US$249.6 billion. Its net income was US$7.4 billion. Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Winnipeg projecting nearly $19M deficit in first quarter financial report
The City of Winnipeg is projecting a deficit of $18.9 million, according to the first quarter financial report. The newest financial report was released Wednesday, and it showed the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service ($6.5 million) and the Winnipeg Police Service ($4.3 million) were two reasons for the projected deficit. The report said higher overtime for firefighters and paramedics was the main reason for being over budget thus far, while the police service did not meet its expenditure management target of $5.1 million. Other factors leading to the first quarter deficit are fewer permit and subdivision fees resulting in a $5.4 million shortfall, lower than expected recoveries for maintenance, leading to $3 million in the red, and Winnipeg Transit will be short by $2 million because of lower fare revenue combined with the cost of buses increasing, including automotive and other parts. Coun. Jeff Browaty, who is the chairperson for the standing policy committee on finance and economic development, said it's common for a deficit to be forecasted in the first quarter. 'That being said, it is important to highlight our challenges early to allow city departments the opportunity to adjust over the course of the year,' Browaty said in a news release. Some positives out of the report are Public Works had a surplus of $4.6 million, due to not needing snow clearing services as much to start the year. As well, the Solid Waste Utility is expected to bring in $3.4 million as new rates have taken effect. 'This surplus, along with future surpluses, will be used to offset the prior year's deficit and support ongoing operations. The Sewer Utility results are required to fund significant capital investments and maintain operations. The forecast aligns with the rate application approved by Council. Overall, the Water & Waste funds are expected to contribute $73.2 million to retained earnings in 2025,' the financial report reads. The city notes the Financial Stabilization Reserve Fund sits at $21.5 million and if the deficit stays the same for the rest of the year, that fund could be used to offset it if it is approved by council. The finance and economic development committee will review the first quarter numbers at a meeting on June 10. The second quarter for Winnipeg ends on June 30.
Winnipeg Free Press
22-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Unregistered properties behind confusion over missing homeowners rebate on city tax bills
After a promised school tax credit didn't show up on some city property tax bills this year, the provincial government is laying out options for people to claim the money. The missing Manitoba Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit on some Winnipeggers' bills — which were mailed out May 8 — sparked confusion and complaints. Many appeared unaware that new homeowners must officially register their home with the city as a principal residence to get the credit, as must anyone not previously registered. Those who didn't register did not receive the credit, which deducts $1,500 from most bills. Those who missed out were initially told they could claim it on their income taxes next year. On Wednesday evening, a provincial spokesperson told the Free Press the Manitoba government has now directed the city to let the money flow sooner. 'We will ensure anyone who should get the credit, gets the money they are entitled to,' the spokesperson said in an email. A bulletin sent to the city notes the provincial government is extending the time frame for principal residence owners in the city to declare they are eligible for the credit in order to receive it this year. If the credit doesn't appear on a property tax bill, the owners have until Nov. 15 to declare the property to be a principal residence, the memo notes. Affected homeowners who make monthly tax payments would then receive payment adjustments or a cheque to account for the credit, while those who pay annually would receive a cheque or a credit. 'A notice to potentially impacted property owners will be sent by the City of Winnipeg and questions can be directed to the City of Winnipeg's Assessment and Taxation Department,' the memo states. On Wednesday morning, Winnipeg city council's finance chairman said initial feedback indicated thousands of Winnipeggers didn't understand what was required to get the rebate on their initial bill. Coun. Jeff Browaty said the city and province were working to ensure refunds and/or bill adjustments would be offered, noting some Winnipeggers need the money even more now, amid rising prices. '(It) is a fair amount of money, considering this replaces the (education tax) credit that was there last year…. Getting the $1,500 now (would help),' said Browaty (North Kildonan). In an email, a provincial spokesperson said Winnipeg and Brandon are the only cities that administer their own taxes, while the province handles taxation for other municipalities. The statement said Brandon offered multiple proactive notices of the registration requirement. Browaty said the province is responsible for ensuring homeowners know how to apply for the rebate. 'It's their credit. They should be the ones who communicate how you're eligible for it,' he said. To help sort through the confusion, the Free Press sought answers Wednesday to spell out how education tax rebates have changed and why some people have yet to receive the latest one, including the following key questions: A: Municipal property taxes and school division taxes are noted in separate charges on the same tax bill. The city is required to collect taxes on behalf of school divisions but the municipality neither sets the rate nor keeps the revenue. To calculate municipal tax, the assessed value of a home is multiplied by a taxable portion, which the province currently has set at 45 per cent for residences. That 'portioned value' is then multiplied by the sum of a mill rate divided by 1,000. The same process applies to school division taxes, which have separate mill rates set by each school division. A: For the 2025 tax year, a former 50 per cent school tax rebate has been eliminated for residential properties. A separate education property tax credit, set at up to $350 in 2024, was replaced with the new Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit, which will rise 'to a maximum of $1,500,' according to the Manitoba Finance website. The new rebate applies to principal residences only, not rental properties, secondary homes/cottages or commercial properties. The website notes the actual credit provided 'is the lesser of $1,500 and the gross school taxes on your principal residence.' RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Those who buy a home must officially register it as their principal residence with their municipality to get the credit, as must anyone who hasn't registered in the past. Those who didn't register did not receive the credit on their recent bill. Those who did should see the credit noted in the school tax portion of the bill. The registration step has been required to qualify for some school tax credits since 2018. A: Initially, residents were told they can apply for a credit to get the rebate when they file income taxes next year. The late-Wednesday update notes they can now skip that wait. Browaty urged all Winnipeggers who have not done so to register their principal residence now at: The city says that form needs to be submitted only once. Browaty said those who didn't get the credit this year may also be missing some past education property tax credits. He urged residents who did not previously register properties as principal residences to check with a tax expert on whether they can claim a $350 rebate for each of 2023 and 2024, as well as $437.50 rebate for 2022. A: Each overall tax levy is affected by an individual home's assessed value, the tax rate applied by the city and a separate tax rate applied by their local school division. In March, a report to Winnipeg city council noted some school divisions imposed significant tax increases this year. For example, the owner of a $371,100 sample home in the Louis Riel School Division was set to pay $316 more in school taxes this year, the report noted. Since each division's rate varies, the tab can be several hundred dollars more in one division than in another, Browaty said. He said homeowners with higher-than-average home values may also pay significant education tax increases, since the 50 per cent education tax rebate has ended. A: In the City of Winnipeg, residents can file an application to the Board of Revision, a quasi-judicial body, to have the assessed value of their home revised but cannot appeal the tax bill itself. Assessment review applications to alter this year's tax bill were due by July 2, 2024. Weekday Mornings A quick glance at the news for the upcoming day. Board of revision decisions on assessed value can be appealed to the Manitoba Municipal Board within 21 days of the board's decision. Those questioning whether a property should be taxed can appeal board decisions to the Court of King's Bench. A: Browaty said his North Kildonan ward residents are welcome to send questions to him directly. City of Winnipeg tax bills note those with school tax credit questions can call 1-866-626-4862 or visit X: @joyanne_pursaga Joyanne PursagaReporter Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne. Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
