2024 Budget

Each year, the City of Burlington undergoes an annual budget process to create budgets that support city operations and deliver the programs and services required to maintain the high quality of life we enjoy in our community.
The Budget is more than dollars and cents. It impacts you through the programs and services you receive. Each time you have your road plowed, use a City park or trail, or cool off in a municipal pool or splash pad, you are seeing your tax dollars at work. The City's mission is to provide a balance of services that improve our quality of life and supports our economy in a responsible manner.
Through the budget process, choices are made to ensure the City services provided to residents align with the priorities in Burlington’s Strategic Plan.
Work to determine the City's 2024 budget is underway. Follow the updates and discussion to learn more and provide your feedback as the City of Burlington determines its annual budget.
Each year, the City of Burlington undergoes an annual budget process to create budgets that support city operations and deliver the programs and services required to maintain the high quality of life we enjoy in our community.
The Budget is more than dollars and cents. It impacts you through the programs and services you receive. Each time you have your road plowed, use a City park or trail, or cool off in a municipal pool or splash pad, you are seeing your tax dollars at work. The City's mission is to provide a balance of services that improve our quality of life and supports our economy in a responsible manner.
Through the budget process, choices are made to ensure the City services provided to residents align with the priorities in Burlington’s Strategic Plan.
Work to determine the City's 2024 budget is underway. Follow the updates and discussion to learn more and provide your feedback as the City of Burlington determines its annual budget.
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Council finalizes budget focused on essentials, front line services and preparing for growth
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkNov. 28, 2023— At today’s Special Council Meeting, Burlington City Council finalized the 2024 budget. Next year’s budget is focused on essentials, front line services and preparing for growth.
The City’s portion of the overall tax increase is 4.99%. When blended with Halton Region’s forecasted increase and no change to the Boards of Education, this results in an overall tax increase of 6.68%. This translates to $57.53 increase per $100,000 of urban residential assessment.
The property tax bill is made up of three portions, the City of Burlington (50.5%), Halton Region (32.8%), and the Boards of Education (16.7%).
The 2024 budget has been broken down into three categories:
- Essentials – This area covers projects and items the City of Burlington must address and/or have already committed to, such as cost of inflation, necessary capital projects and infrastructure renewal.
- Frontline Service – This area covers enhanced services that directly improves the quality of life of Burlington residents.
- Planning for Growth – This area plans for and prepares for the expected increase in population, our Community Investment Plan, and allow us to catch up and prepare for the future.
This was the first budget under the new provincially legislated Strong Mayor Powers. The Mayor proposed the budget for 2024. The budget was based on the 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast Reference Document prepared by staff earlier this year.
Council brought 62 changes through amendment motions to modify the budget. Of those amendments, 27 were adopted into the budget. These were presented at Committee meetings on Nov. 21 and 23 and the Special Council Meeting on Nov. 28. The budget was finalized at the Special Council Meeting on Nov. 28.
Key investments
- Enhancing frontline service delivery with additional transit operators, firefighters, by-law licensing clerks and customer experience staff to respond to your concerns
- Funding for 3 new community facilities – Skyway Community Centre, the newly renovated Mountainside pool and the former Robert Bateman High School
- $88.6 million of capital investment in 2024 to keep our infrastructure assets like buildings, roads and parks in a state of good repair
- Funding dedicated to future land and facility needs for our growing and changing community
- Free all-day transit for Seniors
- Support for our Community Planning Housing Initiative
- Support to bring the city’s Information Technology (IT) infrastructure into the 21st century
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Joint Statement on the Burlington’s 2024 Budget: Focusing on Essentials, Frontline Services & Planning for Future Growth
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe City of Burlington has an approved 2024 Budget. Council brought forward 62 proposed amendments to the budget – a culmination of cuts, neutral motions, and additions. A total of 27 were approved that brought the tax impact for the City portion of your property tax bill to 4.99%. When combined with the forecasted increases of Halton Region (1.69%) and Education (0%), the total increase to your property tax bill is 6.68%. In real dollars, this translates to an approximate $57.53 increase per $100,000 of an urban home’s current residential value assessment.
At the end of the day, this is a Mayor and Council budget that is based on community feedback and guidance from City staff.
We understand these are difficult times for everyone with increased living and housing costs. The Mayor’s initial budget reduced the proposed tax impact by 1% from the initial recommended rate proposed by City staff in their 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast Reference Document. Council made difficult budget decisions, listening to those in the community and trying to balance the asks to cut City services to reduce taxes and the calls to increase taxes to maintain or enhance services. We have seen what happens in communities around us that do not invest enough in infrastructure or services: crumbling roads, closed community centres, and more. This budget plans for the short and long term to ensure we are investing in infrastructure and the services our residents expect.
Burlington’s 2024 Budget is a “needs-to-have” budget that focuses on essentials, frontline services, and planning for growth. The City is not immune to inflation, and the construction price index has gone up 41% since 2017. That makes existing and future contracts more expensive, as we strive to keep Burlington in a state of good repair.
Tax increases are not easy, particularly at a time when many are struggling to meet day-to-day costs. To respond to these concerns, Council tripled our investment in the City’s property tax rebate program, and asked staff to review income and age eligibility beyond seniors, so all low-income homeowners can be eligible. We will get further information on a new program in the New Year.
We also heard from the community their concerns about this year’s and future years’ tax increases. Under new Provincial legislation, the Mayor is required to present an annual budget, but can also issue directions for staff on a number of matters, including the tax rate. We want to work with Council, staff and the community and hear their thoughts on setting a proposed tax rate for the 2025 and 2026 budgets with our initial proposal being at 2.99% for City services, with an additional separate infrastructure levy at 1%.
We recognize the 2024 City and overall tax increase is unusual, and more than what many residents were asking for. City Hall is not immune to the challenges being faced by our community and delaying these much-needed investments in order to reduce this year’s tax increase would be a disservice and for some City services, such as road repair, would cost up to 10 times more if they are not made early enough. This budget continues to build on investments in capital and services our community has asked for and needs, and will serve to improve Burlington today and into the future.
Sincerely,
Marianne Meed WardDeputy Mayor for Strategy & Budgets Mayor, City of Burlington Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman
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2024 Budget Telephone Town Hall- recording & transcript available
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThank you to everyone who participated in the November 7 budget telephone town hall. The transcript and recording is now available.
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Proposed Budget
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThis year’s budget process has changed with the introduction of the Strong Mayors legislation from the Province of Ontario.
What this means is that it is the responsibility of the Mayor to propose the budget. Each year, staff will present a Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast for her to use as reference. Basically, there are two main documents:
- The Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast is prepared by staff and is informative. The Mayor will use this document to create the Proposed Budget.
- The Proposed Budget is put forward by the Mayor and presented to Council annually. Council and delegations may review and comment on the proposed budget. Once council has reviewed this budget, a final budget will be adopted and implemented by staff
The 2024 Budget is underway.
View the 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast Book
Read the multi-year simulation
Read the online survey results
Read the Mayor's Proposed budget
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2024 Budget Telephone Town Hall - November 7
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkBurlington 2024 Proposed Budget Telephone Townhall
Hosted by Mayor Marianne Meed Ward on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward will host a telephone townhall to talk about the budget and hear your questions about budget priorities for 2024. She will be joined by Finance and other Senior staff.
How to Participate
Burlington residential phone numbers will be randomly selected to be part of the telephone town hall. If you would like your number to be added to the call out list or the do not call list, please email getinvolved@burlington.ca. by 1pm Nov 7. If you have asked to be on these lists for any previous town halls, we still have your selection and you do not need to email.Join by telephone: If you happen to miss the call, you can call 1-800-785-1654 during the event time to join the town hall. For those individuals calling in, please be advised more than one attempt may be required due to the high volume of traffic on the phone lines. If the first call does not connect, please hang up and dial the 1-800 number again. You will be able to ask questions live via this method.
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The City of Burlington 2024 Budget Survey is Now Closed
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkWork has started on the City of Burlington’s 2024 budget. As part of this annual work, residents and business owners are asked to share their feedback on City services that matter most. This feedback is presented to City Council to help them prioritize projects and services.
The survey is open until Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.
More information about the budget and how it is prepared is shared in 2024 Budget Framework Report presented to Committee on June 26, 2023.
Quick Facts
Key meeting and planning dates for the 2024 budget are:
June 26, 2023 - Budget Framework Report 2024 Budget Framework Report presented to Committee.
Open until Sept 22, 2023 - Budget Survey
Oct. 30 at 9:30 a.m. Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability Committee: Overview of proposed 2024 Budget
Nov. 7 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. - Telephone Budget Town Hall
To discuss the proposed 2024 budget and take questions from residents.Nov. 21 & 23 at 9:30 a.m.
Review and approval of proposed 2024 Budget, including delegations from the public.Dec. 12 at 9:30 a.m.
Meeting of Burlington City Council: City Council to consider approval of proposed 2024 BudgetRegister to delegate (speak at the meeting) by 12:00 noon the the day before each scheduled meeting.
Signup Banner
Who's Listening
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Chief Financial Officer
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Phone 905-335-7600 ext 7798 Email lori.jivan@burlington.ca
Level of Engagement
- Inform
- Consult
Key Dates
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June 26, 2023 - Budget Framework Report
2024 Budget has finished this stage2024 Budget Framework Report presented to Committee.
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Saturday, September 16, 2023 - Food for Feedback Event
2024 Budget has finished this stageThe City of Burlington will be hosting Food for Feedback, a community engagement BBQ. Join us on Saturday September 16 from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Central Park, 2299 New St . Vegetarian and Halal options are available.
Note: in case of inclement weather, the event will be held indoors at the Burlington Seniors' Centre.
Attendees will receive a free lunch from a food truck, in exchange for providing feedback to the City on projects and initiatives, including the 2024 Budget.
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Monday, Oct. 30 at 9:30 a.m
2024 Budget has finished this stageCorporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability Committee: Staff will be presenting a 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast to CSSRA Committee. Additionally, the Mayor will be publicly releasing her proposed budget.
Register to delegate (speak at the meeting) by 12:00 noon Friday, Oct 27.
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November 2, 2023
2024 Budget has finished this stageThe Mayor will present her 2024 proposed budget to Burlington City Council.
Register to delegate (speak at the meeting) by 12:00 noon on November 1.
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Nov 6 & 7, 2023
2024 Budget has finished this stageCity staff will provide further details on the financial needs outlined in the 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast
Register to delegate (speak at the meeting) by 12:00 noon the the day before the scheduled meeting.
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November 7, 2023 - Telephone Budget Town Hall
2024 Budget has finished this stageHosted by Mayor Meed Ward, the telephone town hall provides the public with the opportunity to ask their questions about the proposed 2024 budget.
7:00- 8:30 p.m.
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Tuesday, Nov. 21 & 23, at 9:30 a.m
2024 Budget has finished this stageReview of proposed 2024 budget at meeting of Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability (CSSRA) committee, with Special Council to follow on Nov. 23 or Nov. 28
You can register to speak at a meeting by completing our delegation registration form or by emailing your request to clerks@burlington.ca.
You must register by noon the day before a meeting.
Registration for the Nov. 21 (to continue on Nov. 23, if required) CSSRA meeting is noon on Mon., Nov. 20.
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Tuesday Nov 28 at 9:30am
2024 Budget has finished this stageSpecial Meeting of Burlington City Council: Additional Council meeting to review the 2024 budget if required.
Register to delegate (speak at the meeting) by 12:00 noon November 27.
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Implementation of the 2024 budget
2024 Budget is currently at this stage
Document Library
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F-23-23 2024 Budget Framework.pdf (287 KB) (pdf)
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F-23-23 Appendix A Multi-yr Simulation.pdf (46 KB) (pdf)
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2024_Financial_Needs_and_Multi-Year_Forecast.pdf (35.9 MB) (pdf)
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F-35-23 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast.pdf (581 KB) (pdf)
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Appendix B of F-35-23 - Multi Year Simulation.pdf (35.1 KB) (pdf)
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Appendix C of F-35-23 - 2024 Budget Survey Results.pdf (701 KB) (pdf)
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MO-02-23 - Mayor's 2024 Budget.pdf (231 KB) (pdf)
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Appendix A of MO-02- 23 2024 Budget Tax Summary.pdf (216 KB) (pdf)
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20231107-CityofBurlington-2024CityBudgetTownHall-EventRecording.wav (86.2 MB) (wav)
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20231107-CityofBurlington-2024CityBudgetTownHall-Event-Transcript.pdf (310 KB) (pdf)
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Additional 2024 Budget Amendments (CL-25-23).pdf (141 KB) (pdf)
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CL-25-23 Appendix A Summary of budget motions.pdf (117 KB) (pdf)
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CL-25-23 Appendix B Motion memorandums.pdf (341 KB) (pdf)
Videos
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Click here to play video Budget Basics Video Learn more about how Burlington develops an annual and long term budget.
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Click here to play video Long Term Financial Planning Learn more about how Burlington plans and budgets for the future.
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Click here to play video Why Invest in Asset Management? The following video is used with the permission of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
Budget FAQs
- What are Budget documents?
- What is a Capital Budget and Forecast?
- What pays for the Capital Budget?
- What are capital projects?
- Who determines what is included in the Capital Budget?
- What is an Operating Budget?
- What pays for the Operating Budget?
- Who decides how my City taxes are spent?
- Where are my tax dollars spent?
- If there is a budget surplus, where does it go?
- I don't take the bus/use the parks/walk on the trails/use the arenas. Why should I pay for these services? Why can't I just pay for what I use?
- How are house values assessed?
- What date is my house value based on?
- How is my tax bill calculated?
- What are the Strong Mayor Powers?