At the Nov. 25 Special Council Meeting, Burlington City Council completed review of the 2025 budget. The Mayor has issued a Mayoral Decision to end the veto period. By ending the veto period, the budget, as amended by Council, is “deemed approved” in accordance with Ont. regulation.
The 2025 Completed Budget includes a 7.51 per cent increase in the City’s portion of budget funded by property taxes. On Dec. 11, Halton Region approved their 2025 Budget with a combined regional increase of 6.18 per cent. With no change from the Boards of Education, this results in an overall blended tax increase of 5.82 per cent or $53.45 for every $100,000 of urban residential assessed property value.
This year’s budget was the second under the Strong Mayors legislation from the Province of Ontario which requires mayors to present a budget for Council consideration, or direct staff to present a budget.
This year, the Mayor issued a Mayoral Direction, which was endorsed by council, to direct staff to prepare and present the budget based on four principles: Affordability, Livability, Sustainability and Transparency.
Staff published the budget for public review on Oct. 25, and it was presented to Committee of the Whole on Nov. 4, with budget committee council deliberation and amendments on Nov. 18 and 21. Residents were able to attend, and also register to delegate to share their input.
Important context and budget considerations
Burlington’s population is expected to grow by over 40 per cent in the next 25 years. To ensure a sustainable financial future, City budgets should prepare for growing resident needs. This includes investing in more infrastructure and services for long-term community benefits.
Burlington is anticipating an approximate three per cent increase in the cost of maintaining current products and services as it manages the effects of inflation. The Proposed Budget projected overall tax increase for 2025 of 4.97 per cent, reflecting a reduction of over 0.5 per cent since the 2025 Financial Forecast was presented to the Committee of the Whole in June. This increase, which included the City, an estimate for the Region of Halton, and education, represented an additional $45.66 for every $100,000 of urban residential assessment.
The City should have between 10 and 15 per cent of our uncommitted revenues in its Stabilization Reserves. The City is well below this target at 6.7 per cent. The City uses these funds to pay for unplanned expenses.
Major infrastructure projects are needed to prepare us for our future. In 2025, we are spending an additional $4.86 million in renewing City infrastructure.
All new investments in 2025 will be considered based on how they satisfy the four principles.
2025 Budget related documents
View the 2025 Proposed Budget Overview Report, Oct. 25, 2024
View the 2025 Proposed Budget Book, Oct. 25, 2024
View the Draft Summary for Public Review, Sept. 19, 2024
View the 2025 Financial Forecast report to the Committee of the Whole, June 10, 2024
Visit getinvolvedburlington.ca/2025budget to for more information on the 2025 Budget.
Key Dates
- Sept. 19
Summary of the draft 2025 budget released with preliminary information for the community - Oct. 25
The 2025 Proposed Budget Report is shared with the community and posted at GetInvolvedBurlington.ca/2025budget and on the Nov. 4 Committee of the Whole agenda - Nov. 4 - Burlington Committee of the Whole
Under the Strong Mayors legislation, the 2025 proposed budget will be presented to Burlington City Council. City Council and the public will be given time to review the proposed budget and give feedback. Delegates are welcome. Register by noon the previous business day.
- Nov. 7 - Budget Telephone Town Hall
Residents can join the call starting at 7 p.m. to ask questions about the 2025 proposed budget. The telephone town hall will be hosted by Mayor Meed Ward and run until 8:30 p.m. Visit Get Involved Burlington for details.
- Nov. 18 and 21 - Budget Committee meetings
City Council amendments to the budget. Delegates are welcome. Register by noon the previous business day. - Nov. 25 - Special Council Meeting
This meeting is for budget approval. Delegates are welcome. Register by noon the previous business day.
How to provide feedback on the proposed budget |
| Members of the public can provide their feedback on the proposed budget in the following ways. |
Contact the Mayor and Council Members |
| You can reach out to the Mayor and Council members anytime via email at the following addresses: |
Participate in Councillor-Hosted Scheduled Budget Meetings |
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Attend the scheduled budget meetings hosted by your Ward Councillor (Make sure to check the meeting dates with your councillor). Mayor’s pre-consultation budget consultations heldThe Mayor’s Pre-consultation Budget consultation meetings were held to discuss the 2025 budget.
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Join the Telephone Town Hall on Nov. 7 |
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Register to Delegate at Council and Committee Meetings |
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You can delegate in person, virtually, or in writing at the Monday, Nov. 4 committee meeting. You can also delegate in person, virtually, or in writing at the Committee and Council meetings scheduled for Monday, Nov. 18, Thursday, Nov. 21 or Monday, Nov. 25 which will be reviewing council amendments.
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Strong Mayor Powers
In June 2023, the Ontario government announced it was expanding strong mayor powers to the mayors of 26 municipalities, including Burlington. Under this legislation, it is the responsibility of the Mayor to propose the budget. The strong mayor powers became effective on July 1, 2023. Mayoral decisions made under the strong mayor powers are available to the public.
How is the Operating Budget funded?
The Operating Budget is mainly funded from property taxes, but it can also include revenues from:
- Earnings on our investments
- Senior government subsidies, such as the provincial gas tax
- User fees and charges, such as recreation fees, parking fines, business licences and building permits
What is a capital project?
A capital project helps maintain or improve a City asset (or infrastructure), including:
- Major maintenance or rehabilitation projects
- New construction, expansion, renovation or replacement projects for existing facilities
- Purchases of major equipment
Costs can include:
- Architectural planning
- Contract services
- Cost of land
- Engineering
Budget Open Data
View our Budget Open Data application, which displays the City's budget data in an accessible, easy-to-understand format using charts, tables and graphs. The application also helps drive greater government accountability and fiscal transparency.