Burlington Mayor to Present Budget Focused on Essentials, Front Line Services & Preparing for Growth

Budget
Written By

*Please see below a news release issued by the City of Burlington. Burlington, Ont. — Oct. 16, 2023 — Preparation for the 2024 budget is underway, with Mayor Marianne Meed Ward to present a budget focused on essentials, front line services and preparing for growth. New legislation from the Province of Ontario now requires mayors of a municipality to present a budget.On Oct. 30, Mayor Meed Ward will be publicly releasing her proposed budget that will be presented on Thursday, Nov. 2 at the Burlington City Council meeting. This proposed budget will be broken down into three categories:

  1. Essentials – This area will cover projects and items the City of Burlington must address and/or has already committed to, such as cost of inflation, necessary capital projects and infrastructure renewal.
  2. Frontline Service – This area will cover enhanced services that directly improves the quality of life of Burlington residents.
  3. Planning for Growth – This area will plan for and prepare for the expected increase in population, our Community Investment Plan, and allow us to catch up and prepare for the future.

In service to that, staff will be preparing its 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast Reference Document as part of the 2024 budget process. The Mayor will use this document to create the 2024 Proposed Budget – this is now a new provincially-legislated responsibility that cannot be delegated.Council will have the opportunity to bring motions to modify the budget and there will still be multiple opportunities for the public to engage in the budget process and provide their input.

"As part of new Provincial legislation, I will present a proposed 2024 budget to Council prioritizing the long-term needs of our city based on essentials, frontline services, and growth-planning. I believe these are the priorities of Council, City staff and our community. I will be seeking input from the public and Council on the proposed budget and making modifications as needed. This year’s budget process may look a little different, due to the new legislation, but what will be the same is that we will still have a budget reflective of the City’s and community’s needs, proposed amendments from Council members, and multiple opportunities for the community to engage and provide their feedback. Our budget process has always been subject to revisions and amendments, and public input – and that will not change. I encourage everyone in our community to participate in the budget process and provide their feedback." -- Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward

Budget process and key datesOct. 30, 2023 – Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability (CSSRA) meeting

  • Staff will be presenting a 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast Reference Document to CSSRA Committee. The Mayor will refer to this document as she develops her budget.

Nov. 2 – Burlington City Council meeting

  • The Mayor, under the new provincial legislation, will present the 2024 proposed budget to Burlington City Council.
  • City Council and the public will be given time to review the proposed budget and give the Mayor feedback.

Nov. 6 and 7, 2023 – Council workshops

  • City staff will provide more details on the additional investments in the 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast Reference Document.

Nov. 7, 2023 –Budget Telephone Town Hall

  • Residents can join the call starting at 7 p.m. to ask questions about the 2024 proposed budget. The telephone town will be hosted by Mayor Meed Ward and run until 8:30 p.m. Visit www.getinvolvedburlington.ca/2024-budget for details.

Nov. 21 and 23, 2023 – Review of proposed Mayor’s 2024 budget at meeting of Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability (CSSRA) committee, with Special Council meeting to follow

  • A review of the Mayor’s 2024 proposed budget will take place, including any proposed amendments from Burlington City Council.

Participation opportunities:Residents can register to delegate for an upcoming meeting. Here’s how:Register to speak at a meeting by completing a delegation registration form or by emailing the request to clerks@burlington.ca. Register by noon the day before the meeting. If the meeting is on a Monday, register by noon on the Friday before.Standing committee and Council meetings are held using a hybrid format, providing the option of speaking in-person at City Hall, 426 Brant St., or virtually via Zoom.For more information on the 2024 budget, visit burlington.ca/budget or www.getinvolvedburlington.ca/2024-budget.Burlington is a city where people, nature and businesses thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at burlington.ca/subscribe and follow @CityBurlington on social media.Quick Facts:

  • Residents and business owners were asked to share their feedback through the 2024 Budget Survey. This feedback will help the City to understand how respondents prioritize and value City services. This survey took place during August and September 2023. The feedback received centred around concerns with tax affordability, reducing taxes and prioritizing services such as roads, infrastructure, climate change/environment and affordable housing.
  • Residents and business owners were also invited to share their input at the in-person Food for Feedback engagement event in September 2023.
  • In June 2023, the Ontario government announced it was expanding additional authorities and responsibilities to the mayors of 26 large and fast-growing municipalities, including Burlington. Under this new legislation, it is the responsibility of the Mayor to propose the budget. The new legislation became effective on July 1, 2023. Mayoral decisions made under this new provincial legislation are available to the public.

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