Burlington ratepayers now faced with a 6.57% tax hike…but that can change

Burlington ratepayers are now looking at a tax increase of 6.57 per cent next year.

After marathon sessions to consider changes to the budget, City councillors added some expenses and eliminated others to arrive at the current figure.

Still, there will be other opportunities to make changes that could see taxes go higher or lower.

On Tuesday (Nov. 28), a special City council meeting will be held where local politicians will have the opportunity to push for more changes. Also, members of the public will have a chance at that meeting to voice their recommendations on budget items that if accepted will affect the tax rate.

Further, under new powers granted to the mayor, Marianne Meed Ward can exercise her authority to veto any changes that have been made so far to the budget. If she does exercise that authority councillors can overrule her with a two-thirds majority vote.

It’s a complicated process.

As well, how the numbers are broken down can be confusing.

The tax rate that the City of Burlington is dealing with currently sits at a 4.88 per cent increase over this year’s amount. However, the figure that you will have to pay — the bottom line — is the amount that is blended with the rate set by Halton Region and the local school boards, which currently sits at 6.57 per cent.