How we plan City investments
We plan carefully to make sure your tax dollars are spent where they’ll make the biggest difference. Each year, we look at community needs, long-term goals, and available funding to figure out which projects will bring the most benefit to residents.
Investment planning process
Set targets
The City has goals for what we want to achieve for residents.
To make sure we reach our goals, we set targets for how good (quality) or how much (quantity) of each service people get. These are called Level of Service targets (read more below).
Identify a need
When we track our services, it tells us if we are meeting our targets.
We look at different risks and how they may impact service delivery.
To ensure we reach our targets and services keep running smoothly, we may need to invest.
Pick the best option
We create a Business Case to understand the different options.
The costs and benefits of each option help us find the best solution.
Prioritize
We look at each investment to see how well it supports the City’s goals.
We also compare investments. The comparison helps determine which investments will bring the most value to residents.
Reassess
We regularly check how plans and projects are performing. This helps us understand changing needs, plan for the long-term, and adjust our goals and targets when needed.
Plan and budget
We recommend the highest priority investments to be considered for the City’s budget.
Council reviews all the proposed investments and decides on the annual budget.
Project work begins once a project is approved in the City’s budget.
Example: Snow removal
Set targets
Good Health and Well-Being is a goal in OurWinnipeg 2045. One policy to support this goal is that we maintain a safe and connected transportation system.
Snow removal on roads is part of a safe and connected transportation system. The Level of Service target for snow removal is that the City clears main roads to bare pavement within 36 hours after snowfall ends.
Identify a need
Let’s say we know some of our snow clearing machines are getting old. This is identified as a risk to meeting our Level of Service target and we need to find a way to keep our snow removal service working well.
Pick the best option
The City drafts a business case with the cost and benefits of replacement, repairs and outsourcing the snow clearing equipment. We determine that replacement is the most beneficial solution.
Prioritize
Many residents rely on roads. Snow removal has a direct impact on services like fire and medical response. This may make snow removal equipment replacement a high priority amongst other investments.
Plan and budget
Purchasing replacement snow removal equipment is put forward for budget consideration. Council considers this along with all the other investment recommendations.
Council makes the final decision.
Note – this example was made up to show how the investment planning process works.
Level of Service targets
Residents want to know which services are available to them and when they can expect the City to get things done. Staff want to know what is expected of them. Level of Service targets help us set clear expectations for residents and staff by explaining what work we do, how often we do it, and how quickly we respond.
This matters to help ensure:
- Fairness: Winnipeg residents receive the same basic service
- Safety: services are aligned with rules to protect residents and staff
- Value: we use your tax dollars for the most benefit
- Clarity: you know what to expect as a resident and City of Winnipeg staff know what is expected of them
- Evaluation: we can measure and report on how well we are meeting service delivery expectations of Winnipeggers
To define levels of service, we must determine:
- What we do: the task or service we provide
- Where we do the task or provide the service: is it on all streets? All parks? In each neighbourhood or ward?
- How fast we respond: target times, like within one day, one week, one month
- How often: could be daily, seasonally, monthly or annually
- The level of quality: the result we are aiming for and how much it will cost
This is a simplified description of the investment planning process. More detail on the City’s investment planning can be found in the 2024 Infrastructure Plan or the Investment Planning Manual.