Budgets are more than dollars and cents. They fund the services you depend on like safe streets, reliable transit, resilient infrastructure, welcoming parks, flood protection and swift emergency response.
The City of Burlington’s proposed 2026 Budget is available for review. View the proposed 2026 Budget.
With rising costs and global uncertainty, the 2026 budget strives to maintain affordability while continuing the essential services that foster a vibrant, high quality of life in our city.
Proposed property tax increase
The proposed 2026 Budget, prepared by City staff, includes a 5.80% increase in the city’s budget and results in an overall property tax increase for residents of 4.49%. This percentage includes services delivered by the City of Burlington, Halton Region (including Police Services), and the Boards of Education and represents the impact residents will see on their property tax bill. The 4.49% proposed increase is an additional $43.68 in property taxes for every $100,000 of residential current value assessment.
| 2025 Share of Tax Bill | Forecasted 2026 Share of Tax Bill | 2025 Taxes* | 2026 Budget Change | Forecasted 2026 Taxes* | Tax Increase* ($) | Tax Increase (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The percentage of your taxes that go to each organization in 2025. | The forecasted percentage of your taxes that will go to each organization in 2026. | The amount you pay in taxes in 2025 | The forecasted increase in each organization’s budget | The forecasted amount you will pay in taxes in 2026 | The forecasted increase in the amount you will pay in taxes, from 2025 to 2026, in dollars | The forecasted increase in the amount you will pay in taxes, from 2025 to 2026, as a percentage | |
|
Burlington |
51.37% |
52.01% |
$499.11 |
5.80% |
$528.07 |
$28.93 |
2.98% |
|
Halton |
32.88% |
32.92% |
$319.47 |
4.60% |
$334.17 |
$14.70 |
1.51% |
|
Education |
15.75% |
15.07% |
$153.00 |
0.00% |
$153.00 |
$ - |
0.00% |
|
Total |
100.00% |
100.00% |
$971.58 |
|
$1,015.24 |
$43.68 |
4.49% |
*per $100,000 of residential current value assessment
Key Dates
Nov. 3 - Proposed 2026 Budget presented to City Council
The proposed budget will officially be presented to City Council on Monday, Nov. 3 at the Committee of the Whole meeting, starting at 1 p.m. Members of the public who wish to speak to Council at the meeting may register to delegate by noon on Friday, Oct. 31.
Nov. 5 - 2026 Budget Telephone Town Hall
Join Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, participating Councillors, and City staff to hear about the proposed budget and ask your questions.
Residential phone numbers will be randomly chosen for the telephone town hall event. To add your number to the call list or request not to be called, email us by 1 p.m. on Nov. 5.
Residents can also call in to join the town hall at 1-800-784-7286, starting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 5. Visit Get Involved Burlington for more details.
Nov. 13 - Divisional presentations
Hear from City staff in each Division of the City about recent service investments, economic pressures and service needs at the Budget Committee meeting on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. Members of the public are welcome to speak to Council by registering to delegate by noon on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
Nov. 24 and 25, if required - Review of proposed 2026 Budget
City Council will review the proposed 2026 Budget at the Budget Committee meeting on Nov. 24 & 25, if required, at 9:30 a.m. During this meeting, Council members can bring motions forward to modify the proposed budget. Members of the public are also welcome to speak to Council by registering to delegate by noon on Friday, Nov. 21.
Dec. 2 - Approval of 2026 Budget
A Special Council meeting to finalize the 2026 Budget will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 2 immediately following the Committee of the Whole meeting. Members of the public are welcome to speak to Council by registering to delegate by noon on Monday, Dec. 1.
Note: All Council and Committee meetings related to the 2026 Budget process take place at City Hall, 426 Brant St., in Council Chambers. Members of the public can also watch a livestream of the meetings.
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 |
|
Attend the scheduled budget meetings hosted by your Ward Councillor (Make sure to check the meeting dates with your councillor). |
Join the Telephone Town Hall on Nov. 5 |
|
Join Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, participating Councillors, and City staff to hear about the proposed budget and ask your questions. Residential phone numbers will be randomly chosen for the telephone town hall event. To add your number to the call list or request not to be called, email us by 1 p.m. on Nov. 5. Residents can also call in to join the town hall at 1-800-784-7286, starting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 5. Visit Get Involved Burlington for more details. |
Register to delegate at Council and Committee meetings |
|
You can delegate in person, virtually, or in writing. To speak to Council at an upcoming Committee or Council meeting, register to delegate. Registrations are due by noon the business day before the meeting. |
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.