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Burlington’s proposed 2025 budget now online for review

The proposed 2025 City of Burlington budget has now been released and is available online. The budget will officially be presented on Monday, Nov. 4 at the Committee of the Whole meeting. The 2025 proposed budget focuses on four main principles to help balance today’s needs while investing in our future:

Affordability - Balance providing for today while preparing for Burlington’s future.

Livability - Making sure the quality of life for the residents of Burlington is upheld and the services they depend on are enhanced, especially as the City continues to grow by over forty per cent in the next 25 years.

Sustainability - The budget must provide for present needs while preparing for the future.

Transparency - Residents have asked for a simpler, easier to track and understand presentation of the budget, earlier in the process. A draft budget summary was released in September and provided an initial look for residents. The budget book is also being revised to be easier to understand.

This proposed budget considers feedback that residents shared with staff and council through various engagement opportunities, including Food for Feedback, the online budget survey, the budget workbook, six pre-budget consultation meetings and delegations to committee and council. Engagement on the budget is still on-going.

Council will have the opportunity to bring motions to modify the budget and there will still be opportunities for the public to engage in the budget process and provide their input.

Budget process and key dates

Oct. 25, 2024 – Proposed budget posted online

Proposed budget is online at burlington.ca/proposedbudget.

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, 2024 – 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, 2024 – 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 for an upcoming meeting. Here’s how:

Register to speak at a meeting by completing a delegation registration form or by emailing clerks@burlington.ca. 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 or getinvolvedburlington.ca/2025budget.

Burlington is a city where people, nature and businesses thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at burlington.ca/subscribe and follow @CityBurlington on social media.

Quote

Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward

“Thank you to everyone who participated in the Pre-Budget Consultation Meetings and shared valuable feedback. Your questions and comments have helped shape the proposed 2025 budget, which will be presented to Council on Nov. 4. This budget prioritizes our city's long-term needs, focusing on affordability, livability, sustainability, and transparency—principles that balance today’s priorities with future investments. I, along with Council, will continue to seek public input and make adjustments as needed. If you couldn’t attend a consultation meeting, there are still opportunities to engage by attending committee or council meetings, participating in the Telephone Town Hall, or sharing your views with your Ward Councillor. Together, we’ll create a Community Budget that reflects the feedback of our residents, Council, and staff."

Quick Facts

The projected overall tax increase for 2025 is now 4.97%, reflecting a reduction of over 0.5% since the 2025 Financial Forecast was presented to the Committee of the Whole in June. This increase, which includes the City, Region of Halton, and education, represents an additional $45.66 for every $100,000 of urban residential assessment.

Drivers of this increase include inflation, infrastructure needs, flood mitigation, emergency management and multi-year community investments, as well as service improvements.

The proposed 2025 Operating Budget includes $2.3 million dedicated to key projects aimed at enhancing services and improving quality of life across the city.

Major capital projects totaling $103.5 million are proposed for 2025, ensuring that every ward in Burlington benefits from these important investments.

In June 2023, the Ontario government announced it was expanding additional authorities and responsibilities to the mayors of 26 large and fast-growing municipalities, including Burlington. The legislation became effective on July 1, 2023. Mayoral decisions made under this new provincial legislation are available to the public. Under the new legislation, it is the responsibility of the Mayor 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.

Residents and business owners were asked to share their feedback through the 2025 Budget Survey. This feedback helps the City understand how respondents prioritize and value City services. This survey took place through August to October 2024. The feedback received centred on concerns with tax affordability, reducing taxes and prioritizing services such as roads, infrastructure, climate change/environment, transit, assessment growth and affordable housing.

Residents and business owners were also invited to share their input at the in-person Food for Feedback engagement event in September 2024 and six pre-consultation meetings hosted by Mayor Meed Ward in September and October 2024.

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 need to prepare for growing resident needs.

Links and Resources

Visit burlington.ca/proposedbudget and burlington.ca/budget for information about the 2025 budget or getinvolvedburlington.ca/2025budget.

For more information on how to speak at a meeting as a delegate, visit burlington.ca/delegate.

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Media contact:
City of Burlington Communications
communications@burlington.ca