A summary of the draft 2025 budget is now available as public consultation continues for this year’s budget review. The summary provides preliminary information to residents about proposed changes to the 2025 budget, in order to seek public input early in the process. This will help shape the budget when presented to City Council and the community for deliberation in October and November. The summary also provides information on capital projects and key investments as well as reserve funds. The 2025 budget is not finalized. The summary of the draft 2025 budget will update periodically until the final budget is approved. Make sure you refresh your cache to ensure you have the most up-to-date version. Budget approval is Nov. 25 at the Special Council Meeting.This year’s budget will be 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 Mayor 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 will be publishing the budget for public review on Oct. 25, and will be presenting to Committee of the Whole on Nov. 4, with budget committee council deliberation and amendments on Nov. 18 and 21. Residents can attend, and also register to delegate to share their input.
There are many major capital projects planned for 2025. Every ward in Burlington will benefit from these investments.
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. Based on the most recent forecast the City expects a total tax increase of 5.25 per cent for 2025, inclusive of City, Halton Region and Education taxes. The budget is yet to be finalized and the City is presenting information to be transparent and inviting feedback along the way.
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 7.6 per cent. The City uses these funds to pay for unplanned expenses. Overall the city has $228 million in reserves, the highest it has ever been.
Major infrastructure projects are needed to prepare us for our future. In 2025, we are spending an additional $4.88 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 Financial Forecast report to the Committee of the Whole, June 10, 2024
View the Draft Summary for Public Review
Visit getinvolvedburlington.ca/2025budget to for more information on the 2025 Budget.
Key Dates
- Sept. 19
Summary of the draft 2025 budget releases with preliminary information for the community - Oct. 25
Mayor's Proposed Budget Report will be 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
The Mayor, under Strong Mayors legislation, will present the 2025 proposed budget to Burlington City Council. City Council and the public will be given time to review the proposed budget and give the Mayor feedback. Delegates 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 welcome. Register by noon the previous business day. - Nov. 25 - Special Council Meeting
This meeting is for budget approval. Delegates 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 consultationsAttend the Mayor’s Pre-consultation Budget consultation meetings to discuss the 2025 budget. All are welcome.
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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.