By Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Deputy Mayor for Strategy & Budget, Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman
Burlington City Council approved the 2023 Budget at our meeting earlier today (Feb.14). There is no question this budget presented a challenge to staff, council, and residents, but it also presented a clear opportunity to make our city better — not just for the next few years, but for future generations.
This budget makes key investments in community centres at the former Robert Bateman school site and new Skyway community centre and arena; as well as in park improvements; active transportation including cycling, walking and transit; coyote response to ensure public safety; more bylaw enforcement to improve quality of life; automated speed cameras to reduce speeding on local roads; and preserving our free Beachway parking pass program for Halton residents.
These investments respond directly to requests from residents about what their priorities are. We recognize these will vary — one person’s “need-to-have” may be another person’s “nice-to-have.” We take
all input from the community in investing in services that serve all our residents.
We’ve also accounted for inflation, ongoing impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic in revenue loss and increased expenses, and ensuring we are competitive in a tight labour market to attract the best people to deliver the best services our residents count on. We are also playing catch-up after years of underfunding in community needs, as well as increasing services for new residents – recognizing that population growth never fully pays for growth.
Your taxes also pay for public school boards, investing in local education, as well as services at the regional level, including health and social services, waste management, paramedic services and housing. Burlington’s 2023 Budget represents crucial investments that will benefit our community now and your children, your grandchildren, and their children. We are setting a strong foundation for today and our future, while delivering the services our growing community is asking for.
Sincerely,
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, City of Burlington; Deputy Mayor for Strategy & Budgets and Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman.
