Strategic Investment

You’ve heard the phrase “you have to spend money to make money.” We plan to spend money to save money.

When an investment in technology, equipment, or infrastructure can deliver measurable long-term savings, we should make it. When delaying a necessary investment will only increase costs or risks down the road, we should stop deferring it to the next year. And when we can invest your tax dollars in programs and services that save you money on everyday costs, your bottom line benefits too.

1. Expand transit to employment areas

Expand transit to new and existing employment areas to facilitate business growth, create new jobs, and service residents who are using taxis or a second car.

New job growth, lower traffic impact on local roads, and household savings by avoiding second (or first) car costs of an average $1300 per month per household.

2. Invest in water conservation

Invest in additional water conservation programs and policies that eliminate or delay the need for major capital expansion of water supply and treatment facilities.

$10+ million over the next 10 years.

3. Expand Guelph Greener Homes

Expand Guelph Greener Homes program for low-income households and rental properties. Rental properties must include a condition that 75% of energy savings be passed on to tenants where tenants pay utilities outside of their monthly rent.

Could save tenants up to $250 – $500 per month in utility bills.

4. Bring in an urban economist

Bring in an urban economist to assess the biggest bang for investments in infrastructure, economic development, and City building projects.

Unlimited potential.

5. Advance high-impact infrastructure renewal

Move forward with high-impact infrastructure renewal projects with a clear return over ten years compared to deferral. Clear the $5.7 million backlog in recently deferred capital projects.

Cost avoidance of rising costs and service delays.

6. Grow urban forestry and green infrastructure

Expand urban forestry targets and green infrastructure to reduce stormwater costs and soil erosion, and improve cooling, groundwater recharge, and infrastructure protection.

$3.20 savings or cost avoidance for every dollar spent + environmental benefits (priceless).

7. Build active transportation and transit

Build out active transportation and transit infrastructure that reduces long-term road-widening and parking-structure capital needs.

Reduce maintenance and expansion of roads over time.

8. Invest in staff retention and training

Invest in employee retention and internal skills training to reduce costly reliance on external consultants and contractors for recurring specialized work (engineering, IT, planning).

Reduce cost of recruitment, hiring, and onboarding new staff.

9. Add renewable energy on City facilities

Expand renewable energy generation on municipal facilities through rooftop solar and battery storage.

Reduce energy costs and improve resilience during power shortages.

10. Increase preventative road maintenance

Increase preventative road maintenance (crack sealing, preservation treatments).

Extends pavement life and delays expensive reconstruction.

11. Expand community benefit agreements and grants

Increase community benefit agreements and community grants for charities and non-profits that deliver programs and services that lower the cost of basic needs for youth, seniors, and low-income families (food security, recreation, literacy, poverty reduction, etc.).

Savings will be measured at the community and household level. Range of return between $2.50 – $7 for every $1 invested in poverty reduction and food security programs.