Promises made about budget presentation were not kept

By Staff

October 25th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

The 2025 Budget book is out.

The first thing you notice is that isn’t that much smaller than the 2024 Budget – we already feel for Councillor Angelo Bentivegna who struggles with Budget books.

The public was promised a smaller Budget book – 614 pages this year; 780 last year.

The Mayor made an appearance in every ward to talk about the budget – the problem was that these events took place before the budget was released – the public had nothing to use as a reference.

The word “impact” gets used often – problem – -there isn’t a definition for a “budget impact”.  No idea what it means – the impact is different for every tax payer.  Some would prefer that there be no impact but that isn’t going to happen.

Eric Stern. Part of the BRAG community group with a copy of the 2025 Budget Book – pointing out that it is a “proposed” budget. BRAG wants to see lower taxes and less spending.

BRAG – the Burlington Residents’ Action Group has a team of people who will be going through the 615 pages and commenting in depth on various spending areas.

The document goes to Council on November 4^th

The schedule that gets to the point where the tax rate will be known is set out below.

Oct. 25, 2024

Mayor’s Proposed Budget Report has been shared with the community and posted on this page.

November 4, 2024 Budget is on the Council agenda.  7:00- 8:30 p.m.

Register to delegate (speak at the meeting)(External link) by 12:00 noon on November 1.

November 7, 2024 – Telephone Budget Town Hall

Hosted by Mayor Meed Ward, the telephone town hall provides the public with the opportunity to ask their questions about the proposed 2025 budget.

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(External link). by 1 pm Nov 7.

November 11, 2024 – Motion Memorandums (to propose amendments to Proposed Budget) due to Finance by 4:30 pm

November 18 & 21, 2024  Committee review of Proposed Budget, amendments proposed via Motion Memorandum process

November 25, 2024   Council review of Proposed Budget

Related news story:

What was promised earlier in the year wasn’t delivered today