By Jack Brittle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On Nov. 28, 2023, Burlington’s City Council announced the final version of the 2024 budget.

The budget includes items categorized into three separate divisions: Essentials, Frontline Service, and Planning for Growth.

This is the first budget proposed under the new strong mayor powers given to select cities by the province in July 2023. This legislation requires mayors to propose the budget themselves.

The biggest, and perhaps most controversial, item in the budget is a 6.68% tax increase, 4.99% of which is the city’s doing. Halton Region and the boards of education are responsible for the remaining portion.

The City of Burlington itself accounts for just over 50% of the new property tax bill.

The “Essentials” portion of the budget includes things like addressing inflation, renewing or continuing infrastructure projects, and other “necessary capital projects” according to the City of Burlington website. This section is reserved for “projects and items the City of Burlington must address and/or have already committed to.”

The “Frontline Service” division is reserved for services that are meant to aid citizens and make their lives in Burlington easier. These services will be enhanced,  according to the city. This includes hiring “additional transit operators, firefighters, by-law licensing clerks and customer experience staff.”

In anticipation of the population growth that Burlington is expected to experience over the next few years, the “Planning for Growth” includes things that are designed to make this influx of residents easier for both the city and the new citizens alike. Burlington’s population is expected to rise to over 245,000 by 2051, according to the city’s website.

Some highlights of the investments outlined in the new budget include free all-day transit for seniors, updating the city’s IT infrastructure, funding for Skyway Community Centre, a renovated Mountainside pool, and the renovations to the former Robert Bateman High School (the future Robert Bateman Community Centre).

To address constituents’ concerns about the tax increase, Ward 5 Councillor and Deputy Mayor for Strategy and Budgets Paul Sharman, sent an email to the residents of Ward 5, empathizing with those who are concerned with the increased expense, but also explaining why it is necessary.

“No one wants the increase, but that doesn’t change the facts that costs and complexity are increasing and have to be taken care of for the long-term good of the city,” Sharman said.

He also cited a survey taken in Aug. and Sept. 2023, which showed that the majority of residents were in favour of “improving or maintaining City services,” the main goal of the tax increases.

“It is not reasonable to cause the city to reduce services and tax rates to address the need of a proportion of taxpayers when the vast majority are able to pay and they wish to enjoy the services of the City. It is a bit of a conundrum, which we need to solve.”

He also expressed his desire to expand and improve the support programs that already exist for seniors and low-income earners.

In a joint statement from Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Sharman, they explained the importance of citizens’ tax dollars to fund vital city services.

“The 2024 Budget impacts people through the programs and services they receive every day in our city. 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 using a City service and seeing your tax dollars at work,” Meed Ward and Sharman said.

Joan Ford, the city’s chief financial officer, echoed the commitment to consider both the financial situations of residents and the investments that the city needs to make to thrive.

The city’s mission continues to be to balance the needs of all residents both today and in the future while maintaining the high quality of services that residents enjoy,” Ford said.