By Pepper Parr
November 21st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
At 1:10 PM – Council is close to totally confused.
The only thing we have learned after lunch is that the increase will be 6.68% – increase was due to a new budget from the Regional government.
Mayor Meed Ward Photo from Gazette photo library
The Mayor has just asked if there was a benefit to delaying the whole budget process to February, CFO Ford said that there was a benefit to setting a budget in order to get lower construction and supply costs.
If this keeps on going to way it has been going – there is going to be little in the way of satisfaction from the public. Understanding what Council is doing will be a challenge.
Take a look at the 5 year forecast and you will find that your taxes go up 30%
The 5 year forecast uses the misleading “impact” word so taxes go up 30% but spending will be going up more like 60%. Happy Days at City Hall.
Councilor Kearns gives master class on how to run meeting according to the Rules.
Whats being done isnt difficult to understand. I had no idea what was going on as havent been involved for personal reasons. But while everyone was freaking out about covid they were preparing to spend 30-40 m on revamping city hall. At the same time whether it was money pits Commisso or someone else they came up with a master plan for Destination Burlington. Everyone who elected Meed got snowed hard. She was fine to say no to dowtown development bc she had way way bigger plans. Master plans for the entire city. Dig deep because the 30 m for DEOO will be nothing. As per this am they believe everone here makes 120k and believe thats a fair starting point to tax everyone. Angelo asks a good question when he asks the value of these master plans which we here is 1.2 B. Meed was the biggest mistake this city ever made. Should have kept Goldring. Time to leave.