City launches 2026 Budget process with a focus on limiting tax impacts

Burlington, Ont.— July 15, 2025 — Burlington City Council has approved the 2026 Financial Forecast report (FIN-24-25), which outlines the economic pressures and service needs shaping next year’s budget. The forecast report is one of the first steps in the annual budget process and provides a preliminary look at the 2026 budget.  

The final tax bill is made up of several components covering services delivered by the City of Burlington, Halton Region, including Police Services, and the Boards of Education. Each has their own forecasted budget increase amount.

*Note: The 2026 Financial Forecast report (FIN-24-25) identified a total property tax increase of 4.00 per cent, based on a forecast of 3.1 per cent for Halton Region. At a meeting of Halton Regional Council on Wednesday, July 9, the forecasted increase for Halton Region was identified as 4.6 per cent. This change results in a forecasted total tax increase of 4.49 per cent. 

As part of the budget process, Council also endorsed a Mayoral Direction for City staff to prepare a total tax increase (including the City, Halton Region, and Boards of Education) in the order of 4.5 per cent, with the City of Burlington share of taxes being less than 3 per cent. 

This direction, along with several changes to streamline the budget process and enhance public input, reflects the City’s commitment to affordability, transparency, livability, and long-term sustainability.  

Other steps in the annual budget process include: 

• A rigorous internal review of budgets and prioritization by City staff 
• Opportunities for public engagement beginning in late August, where residents, businesses, partner organizations, and staff provide feedback about projects and services they would like to see prioritized in the 2026 budget. 
• A city-wide telephone town hall on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 7 – 8:30 p.m.  
• Budget Committee meetings with City Council starting in November to review a proposed budget, bring forward amendments, and ultimately approve the 2026 budget. 

Mayoral Decisions 

At the regular meeting of Council, City Council endorsed two Mayoral Decisions: 

1. Direct City staff to prepare the 2026 budget for Council and public consultation. This includes: 

• Considering feedback from the community, members of Council, the Deputy Mayor of Strategy and Budget, and the needs identified in the 2026 Financial Forecast report. 
• Preparing a proposed budget that aims for a total property tax increase in the order of 4.5 per cent. The total property tax increase is made up of taxes for the City of Burlington, Halton Region, and the Boards of Education.  
• Preparing a proposed budget that aims for Burlington’s portion of the total property tax increase to be less than 3 per cent.  
• In this case, the City’s 2026 budget would increase no more than 5.8 percent compared to the current year. 

This is to be done while adhering to the four principles that balance providing for today while preparing for our future – affordability; livability; sustainability; and transparency. 

2. Shorten the 10-day period for the Mayor to veto an amendment resolution passed by Council to the proposed budget. This means the Mayor elects not to use the veto power, and the budget will be considered approved on the day Council votes on any final budget amendments. 

Key priorities identified in the 2026 Financial Forecast 

• Investing in city operations and asset maintenance, including forestry service for improved air quality and vibrant outdoor recreational spaces; transit maintenance to limit service disruptions; and support to protect against cyber security threats to ensure continuity of essential city services and safeguarding of personal information. 
• Capital program needs as identified in Burlington’s 2025 Corporate Asset Management Plan, including renewal of our aging roads to ensure they remain safe and reliable now and into the future; and stormwater system improvements and related infrastructure to help reduce the risk of flooding. 
• Improving services, including better waste management in parks, for cleaner parks and public spaces now and in the future; an expansion of the windrow removal program to support accessibility and community well-being; new active transportation facilities to provide a wide range of safe, accessible options for getting around Burlington as our city grows; and the revitalization of aging recreation facilities to improve accessibility and enhance customer experience. 
• Supporting the operations of new infrastructure investments made in previous budget years, such as expanded transit service to provide efficient, sustainable options for getting around Burlington as our city grows; and information technology capital projects to enhance City operations and proactively meet customer needs. 
• Meeting inflationary pressures, including higher construction costs and tariffs on materials 
• Identifying efficiencies and establishing clear priorities to find savings, avoid unnecessary costs, and make the most of available resources. 
• Addressing assessment growth which brings more tax revenue and increases the need for expanded services and infrastructure to support a growing community, such as roadways, parkland and facilities.  

2026 Budget public engagement opportunities 

Numerous public engagement opportunities will be available beginning in late August, including: 

• an online survey at getinvolvedburlington.ca/2026budget (opens Aug. 25) 
• Food for Feedback event on Sept. 13 at Central Park (2331 New St.), from 12 – 4 p.m. 
• six in-person budget townhalls, led by Mayor Meed Ward, with participating Ward Councillors and city staff: 
  • Sept. 18, 2025 - Haber Community Centre (Community Room 1), 7-8:30 p.m. – Ward 6 
  • Sept. 22, 2025 - LaSalle Pavilion (Main Ballroom), 7-8:30 p.m. – Ward 1 
  • Sept. 23, 2025 - Burlington Seniors' Centre (Community Room 3), 7-8:30 p.m. – Ward 2  
  • Sept. 24, 2025 - Brant Hills Community Centre (Community Room 1) 7-8:30 p.m. – Ward 3 
  • Sept. 29, 2025 - Tansley Woods Community Centre (Community Room 1), 7-8:30 p.m. – Ward 4  
  • Oct. 2, 2025 - Appleby Ice Centre (Community Room 1), 7-8:30 p.m. – Ward 5 
• a telephone town hall on Nov. 5, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. 
• Committee and Council meetings  

All dates and more information are available at getinvolvedburlington.ca/2026budget.  

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

Quick Facts 

• Under Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, which amended the Municipal Act, the Mayor as head of Council, is required to prepare a budget to Council for consideration. With the above Mayoral Decision 1, the Mayor has directed City staff to prepare the 2026 budget. 
   
• Under the same provincial legislation, the Mayor can veto Council budget amendments within 10 days of the passing of a budget, and Council may override that veto by a two-thirds majority vote. With the above Mayoral Decision 2, the Mayor has elected to not exercise this veto and end the veto period directly following Council votes on any final budget amendments. 

Quotes 

Mayor Marianne Meed Ward

“We know these are challenging times for residents, families, and businesses across our community. As we begin shaping the 2026 budget, affordability is our top priority. Every investment will be reviewed through that lens - finding savings where possible while protecting the services and quality of life residents rely on today and in the future. I encourage everyone to take part in upcoming engagement opportunities this fall. Your feedback helps shape the decisions we make together.”  

Paul Sharman, Deputy Mayor for Strategy and Budgets and Ward 5 Councillor 

“I encourage residents to join the conversations that will help shape the city’s 2026 budget. Your input helps Council to understand the priorities and needs of the community and then work to balance them with the city’s economic, financial and legislative realities. The budget impacts the programs and services you rely on every day, from splash pads to snow removal. Let’s work together towards a budget that remains affordable while making smart investments for today and the future.”  

Links and Resources 

• To learn more about the budget process at the City of Burlington, visit burlington.ca/budget.  
• Find 2026 budget information, key dates and more at getinvolvedburlington.ca/2026budget

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