Here’s how you can influence Burlington’s budget and tax rate

Burlington residents will have a few more chances to have input into the 2025 budget which will impact the tax rate.

The preliminary budget was released last week and focuses heavily on programs and services to meet the city’s growth.

The $471.1 million budget deals with rising costs, fixing and maintaining aging infrastructure, flood control and a few new initiatives that amount to a tax increase of 4,97 per cent in 2025 when combined with taxes that will be collected by Halton Region and the local school boards. This amounts to a hike of $45.66 per $100,000 of a property’s current value assessment.

Some of the highlights of the budget include $103 million in spending on capital projects such as upgrading parks, community centres and other city facilities as well as major changes to Plains Road. Included in the capital costs is $5.2 million for stormwater management to mitigate future flood damage,

Other costs will be the ongoing reconstruction of the Robert Bateman Community Centre and Skyway Arena.

The city also plans to increase its bylaw enforcement team, add more transit buses, increase the number of photo radar systems and put more portable washrooms in parks.

What happens next is several steps before the budget is approved. At the committee and council meeting stage, the budget is open for debate and items can be added or removed by local politicians.

Budget process and key dates

• Oct. 25 – Proposed budget posted online
  Proposed budget is online at burlington.ca/proposedbudget.(External link)
• Nov. 4 – Burlington City Council Committee of the Whole meeting
  Under the Strong Mayors legislation, the 2025 proposed budget will be presented to Burlington City Council. Delegations are welcome.
• Nov. 7 – Budget Telephone Town Hall
  Hosted by Mayor Meed Ward, residents can join the call starting at 7 p.m. to ask questions about the 2025 proposed budget. Visit getinvolvedburlington.ca/2025budget for details.
• Nov. 18 and 21 – Review of proposed 2025 budget at meeting of the budget committee
  A review of the 2025 proposed budget will take place, including any proposed amendments from Burlington City Council. Delegations are welcome.
• Nov. 25 – Special Council meeting
  Burlington City Council to vote on budget. Delegations are welcome.

Participation opportunities

Residents can register to delegate (speak at the meeting) for an upcoming meeting. Here’s how:

Register to speak at a meeting by completing a delegation registration form (External link) or by emailing [email protected](External link). 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 2025 budget, visit burlington.ca/proposedbudget(External link) or on this page.