By Staff
February 26th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
In her most recent newsletter Mayor Marianne Meed Ward reported that “Council is in the final stages of 2021 budget discussions and is currently sitting at a proposed increase of 4.14%.
“City of Burlington staff and Council all worked very hard to find ways to reduce the impact while still delivering on direct services to residents.
“We shaved approximately $1.49 million off the initial proposed operating budget while adding resources for tree preservation, extending the seniors free transit pilot, additional planning staff and more.
“That said, delivering the highest tax increase of our Council term thus far is not my goal for our community, particularly amidst a pandemic where people are still struggling. We received millions in funding from our upper levels of government over the past year and have been presented with reasonable and thoughtful options for reductions that were brought forward by our City staff. The divided vote yesterday at committee was 4 members of Council in support, and 3 opposed, myself included.
“The recommendations for the proposed 2021 operating budget head to a virtual special council meeting on March 3 for a final vote. With just a little bit more work and discussion, I’m hoping Council can come together to close the gap for a lower tax increase closer to 3.99% and deliver a budget that most, if not all, of us on Council and in the community can support.
Looking through my Municipal & Education tax bills for the past 3 years…here’s how I calculate my tax increases for the past couple of years…2020 – an increase of 3.6% from 2019 (amidst Covid shutdowns as well) , 2019 – an increase of 3,2% from 2018. Thus an overall Burlington tax increase for me of 6.8 % in just 2 years. Publishing exactly where the increases are needed might help justification i.e., infrastructure costs, etc. Perhaps it is, but where to look for it?
Have they ever considered “0” based budgeting…..whereby budgets are really based on “need” and not “wants or wishes”? Or is it calculated on the old scheme of “what did we spend last year and we’ll just add an increase to that”?
I can get the increase to 2% because I do not have to get reelected and I do not have to protect my job and my staff.
Lets get this straight. The majority of citizens do not support a 3.99 % increase. The mayor should not make such misleading statements. Two % may be justified!
The reserve funds have been used before to meet the Mayors desire to look good to her followers when it comes to tax increases. Has this worked? No I don’t think it has. When the pandemic hit perhaps we could have used these funds to help small businesses, providing facial masks, etc. When you borrow from Peter to pay Paul, it always comes back to haunt.
I listened to the meeting and had to stop when I heard Councillor Stolte practically begging not to get rid of the $500.00 budget ( which is woefully inadequate) allotted to the Burlington Senior Advisory Committee. This is really nickel and diming .
Perhaps some money could be saved with all the surveys that go out asking for public input on things like prospective playgrounds. The most important aspect of playgrounds that never seems to be thought through is “proper shading of the area”, not the silly little plastic palm trees that only take up space but provide no shade.
I could go on, but I won’t.