Mayor’s Monday Mailbag – Oct. 2, 2023 – What are the Key Dates for Engagement on the 2024 Budget?

Welcome to the Mayor’s Monday Mailbag, an initiative Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and the Mayor’s Office launched to share weekly answers to questions from the public we’ve received through our main email inbox at mayor@burlington.ca or the Mayor’s social media platforms.At the end of the month, we publish a roundup of those most pressing questions we’ve received in the weeks prior.Mayor’s Monday Mailbag – Oct. 2, 2023QUESTION:"What are the key dates for the upcoming 2024 Budget and how and when can I provide my feedback to the City?”ANSWER:Work has started on the City of Burlington's 2024 budget and your feedback and input is needed.As part of this annual work, residents and business owners are asked to share their feedback on what City services matter most to them. This feedback is then presented to City Council to help them prioritize projects and services.While our 2024 Budget online survey has closed, residents can still share their thoughts and feedback directly with the Mayor and their Ward Councillor, at any time.More information about the budget and how it is prepared was shared in the 2024 Budget Framework Report that was presented to Committee on June 26, 2023.It is also important to note that as a result of recent legislative changes from the Province through the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, this year's budget process will work a little differently.These changes were outlined in a staff report to Committee on Sept. 11, 2023, please click/taps these links for the Update to the budget process resulting from the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022 staff report and staff presentation.It's important to note that these legislated changes will not reduce the opportunities for public engagement:

• Existing opportunities for the public to learn about the budget as well as provide feedback is maintained; and
• Opportunities for the public to delegate to both Budget Committee as well as Council are maintained.

QUICK FACTS & KEY DATES:Upcoming key meeting and planning dates for the 2024 Budget (F-34-23 Appendix B 2024 budget process_revised) are:

• Oct. 30 at 9:30 a.m. -- Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk & Accountability (CSSRA) Committee - Budget Meeting
  • Staff overview report and presentation of Reference Forecast Document for 2024 Budget
  • Meeting agenda available on Oct. 19
  • Includes delegations from the public
  • Release of Mayor's Proposed 2024 Budget to public
• Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. -- City Council Meeting
  • Presentation of Mayor's Proposed 2024 Budget to Council
    • 30-day legislated period for Council to review and amend Mayor's Proposed Budget begins with release of the Council Meeting Agenda and can be shortened via a Council vote
  • Meeting agenda available on Oct. 30
  • Includes delegations from the public
• Nov. 6 & 7 (9:30 a.m.) -- Council Workshops
  • City staff will provide Council members with further details on the additional investments outlined in the 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast.
• Nov. 7 (7-8:30 p.m.) -- Telephone Budget Town Hall
  • Hosted by Mayor Marianne Meed Ward -- take questions from residents on the proposed 2024 budget
  • More details on how to participate in the town hall will be released closer to the date at getinvolvedburlington.ca/2024-budget
• Nov. 13 at 9:30 a.m. -- Proposed Amendments to Mayor's Proposed Budget Due
  • Motion memorandums (to propose amendments to Mayor's Proposed Budget) from Council members due to City's Finance Department by 4:30 p.m.
• Nov. 21 & 23 at 9:30 a.m. -- Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk & Accountability (CSSRA) Committee - Budget
  • Committee review of staff draft budget and amendments proposed through Motion Memorandum process from Council members
  • Includes delegations from the public
• Nov. 23 (following CSSRA committee) -- Special Council Meeting
  • Council's review of Mayor's Proposed Budget
  • Budget deemed approved IF Mayor's veto power is not exercised
  • Includes delegations from the public
• Nov. 28 at 9:30 a.m. -- Special Council Meeting (if needed)
  • Mayor's 10-day legislated veto period (if Mayor's veto power exercised)
  • 10-day period can be shortened by a Mayoral Decision
  • Includes delegations from the public
• Dec. 12 at 9:30 a.m. -- City Council Meeting
  • Council's 15-day legislated override period (if Mayor's veto power exercised)
  • 15-day period can be shortened by a Council vote
  • Includes delegations from the public
• Budget deemed approved -- early/mid-December 2023

To stay up-to-date and informed every step of the 2024 budget process, please visit getinvolvedburlington.ca/2024-budget and subscribe for email updates (scroll down to the end of the page and enter your email address).

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RELATED LINKS:

• Mayor’s Mailbag – September 2023 Roundup – Bateman Public Engagement; & Home Construction & Renovation Projects Webpage
• Mayor’s Mailbag – August 2023 Roundup – What is Oak Wilt; & Support in Finding Childcare
• Mayor’s Mailbag – July 2023 Roundup – Bird Eggs in LaSalle Park; & Cooling Centres
• Mayor’s Mailbag – June 2023 Roundup – Mountainside Pool Reopening; Dissolution of Peel Region; & Bateman Redevelopment Project Updates
• Mayor’s Mailbag – May 2023 Roundup – Beachway Free Parking Pass; Twin-City Agreements; & ‘TellCityHall’ Automated Calls
• Mayor’s Mailbag – April 2023 Roundup – Parking Permit Program Update; Spring Cleanup; & Mayor’s Chamber Award Update
• Mayor’s Mailbag – March 2023 Roundup – Recognizing a Cause/Event, Burlington City Crest, & Windrows/Snow-Clearing
• Mayor’s Mailbag – February 2023 Roundup – City Winter Service Levels, Tax Support for Seniors on Fixed Incomes, & Support Accessing Recreation Programs
• Mayor’s Mailbag – January 2023 Roundup – Mental Health Resources, Arts & Culture Fund, & Homelessness Support
• Mayor’s Mailbag – December 2022 Roundup – Bill 23, Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund, & Winter Storm Updates