Latest Updates
Find the latest updates from the Mayor and City Hall.
City of Burlington Budget 2013: Tax increase proposed for 2.3-6.5%
We must do better than a 6.5% increase, and that will require some tough choices.
My priorities for Ward 2 and Burlington in 2013
There are steps we can take, both large and small, short term and long term, that will preserve what we love about the community, and make changes that will make our city even better
City budget focuses on infrastructure, hospital
In March, city council approved a budget that increases our funding for infrastructure and our hospital, resulting in a city tax increase of 3.29%.
Council delivers 0.9% tax increase
My Take: During the election campaign, many of you told me you wanted the city to rein in spending, focus on priorities, and more closely align spending to economic realities. City taxes have increased by a whopping 75% since 2000 - about 5.6% per year, while our population has only grown by 18%, and inflation by 23%. This budget signals a new focus on fiscal restraint while maintaining or enhancing core priorities for our hospital and seniors.
Infrastructure deficit, tax increases subject of Ward 2 advisory meeting
The proposed capital and current (or operations) budget for 2011 will address some, but not all of these challenges. Staff are proposing a tax increase of 2.5%. That includes a dedicated .5% infrastructure levy. Council has also recently learned there is a sizable surplus from the 2010 budget, which we'll learn more about next week, when staff bring forward a report on the amount, source and proposed disposition of the surplus.
During the campaign I pledged to rein in tax increases, and focus on infrastructure and core services. I'm very concerned about our infrastructure renewal gap and will suggest that some of the surplus be directed toward that, in addition to looking at redirecting funds from other capital and operating to infrastructure.
Video: Burlington city spending is too high
City Hall is increasing taxes at 3 times the rate of inflation to pay for nice-to-have capital projects like the pier. City Hall needs to limit spending: and ideas on how we could rein it in.