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Mayor proposes Burlington’s budget with potential tax increase

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This year’s budget process in Burlington will look a little different following a change to provincial rules that require mayors themselves to present a budget that will be discussed and revised by council. And Mayor Marianne Meed Ward’s proposals would see Burlington taxes increasing by more than six per cent next year, if passed.

As Burlington residents shared what they think their tax dollars should go toward, the mayor publicly released her proposed budget on Monday, saying it was well-informed by city staff’s 2024 financial needs and multi-year forecast.

“I used that document to build my budget, and it is sitting right now at a 4.9 per cent city only portion of your tax bill,” said Ward.

With regional and school board increases factored in, residents could see an overall increase of 6.33 Per cent in their residential tax bill.

However, according to the budget document, city staff proposed a higher 7.61 Per cent increase to Burlington resident’s tax bill.

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“I do expect that there will be changes, my goal is to maintain our collaborative approach to budgeting,” said Ward.

Now the proposed budget is broken down into three categories; essentials, frontline services, and planning for growth

The budget document says essentials will cover items the city has already committed to, such as inflation and infrastructure renewal.

Frontline services will cover items that residents have asked for that improve quality of life in Burlington.

And planning for growth will cover preparations for the future, such as an expected increase in population, and the city’s multi-year community investment plan.

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“I’ve identified what I think the essentials are, what the front line service needs are, and what the planning for growth should be. But I’m really interested to hear from the community, do they agree with that,” said Ward.

Council and the public will be weighing in on the proposal in the coming weeks.

Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan says he expects the process to be tough.

“The mayor said that she’s going to be very engaged and she wants this to be council’s and the mayor’s budget — not just the mayor’s budget,” said Nisan. “I’m optimistic that we can get something done that balances this tough economic environment. People are hurting in our city right now, there’s no doubt, it’s easily the toughest budget I’ve been through in my five years.”

Meed Ward will formally present the proposed budget to city council on Thursday.

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