CSSRA Committee will look at Increasing Burlington's Low-Income Seniors Property Tax Rebate Program

Next week, a Finance Department report is coming to the Dec. 10 Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability (CSSRA) Committee meeting on the City's low-income seniors property tax rebate program and asking committee members to approve an increase from $525 to $550.Background:The City of Burlington offers a senior’s property tax rebate program for eligible property owners through Section 365(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001 which authorizes a local municipality to pass a by-law to offer such a program, with proper notice to the upper-tier municipality where they also have a similar by-law to allow for the rebate.Qualifying seniors who own and reside in their home as their principle residence can apply on an annual basis to the City for the rebate. The deadline to apply is December 31 of each year. A person is eligible if they or their spouse meet all of the following requirements:

• Be at least 65 years of age as of January 1.
• Be the assessed owner and occupant of a residential property in the City of Burlington for at least one year preceding the application.
• Be in receipt of the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) pursuant to the Old Age Security Act.
• Have paid property taxes in full excluding the applicable rebate.

Currently, the program provides qualified low-income seniors with a property tax rebate of $525. In accordance with legislation, the costs associated with the rebate program are shared proportionally among the city, the region, and the school boards in the same percentage as the entities share in the tax revenues.The staff recommendation is to:

Approve an increase to the low-income seniors property tax rebate from $525 to $550 for eligible property owners effective for the 2021 tax year; and

Approve by-law XX-2020 attached as Appendix A to finance department report F-50-20 which provides for an update to the property tax rebate for eligible property owners, and repeal by-law 12-2016, effective January 1, 2021.

To read the full staff report and appendix, please click these links:

• Staff report: F-50-20 Low-Income Seniors Property Tax Rebate Program Update
• Appendix: F-50-20 Appendix A By-law xx-2020 Low-income Seniors Property Tax Rebate Program

How to Delegate/Provide Feedback:To delegate virtually at this meeting, complete the online delegation registration form at www.burlington.ca/delegate or submit a written request by email to the Clerks Department at clerks@burlington.ca by noon on Dec. 7. All requests to delegate must contain a copy of the delegate’s intended remarks that will be circulated to all members of committee in advance as a backup should any technology issues occur.If you do not wish to delegate, but would still like to submit your feedback, please email your comments to clerks@burlington.ca. Your comments will be circulated to committee members in advance of the meeting and will be attached to the minutes, forming part of the public record.As always, you can watch a live webcast of the CPRM Committee meeting on Dec. 8 at burlington.ca/calendar and clicking the “LIVE” link that appears below the date of the meeting shortly before its 9:30 a.m. start time.RELATED LINKS:

• Items coming to Dec. 7 EICS Committee:
  • Burlington EICS Committee to be asked to Endorse Halton Equity and Diversity Roundtable Charter
  • Burlington Mayor Proposing Enhanced Deputy Mayor Roles & Changes to 2021 Committee Chairs at Dec. 7 EICS Committee
  • Presentation from Metrolinx on GO Expansion Program, Impacts to Burlington Coming to Dec. 7 EICS Committee
• Items coming to Dec. 8 CPRM Committee:
  • Update at Dec. 8 CPRM Committee on Downtown UGC/MTSA: Public Engagement Process & Next Steps
  • CPRM Committee to be Asked to Endorse Staff Comments on Nelson Quarry to Ministry of Natural Resources & Environmental Registry
  • Burlington Transit Five-Year Business Plan (2020–2024) Coming to Dec. 8 CPRM Committee
  • CPRM Committee looks to Update Burlington's Sidewalk Warrant and Local Improvement Bylaw
• Items coming to Dec. 10 CSSRA Committee:
  • Burlington Staff Recommending Shortlisting Applicant List in City's Public Appointment Process

—*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor’s Media and Digital Communications Specialist