The budget for 2024 will come from the Mayor - it will be public on Monday.

By Staff

October 27th, 2023

BURLINGTON, ON

The following was released by the City’s Communications department.

Mayor Marianne Meed Ward

One section of the document is seriously mis-leading – we highlight that section.

On Oct. 30, Mayor Meed Ward will be publicly releasing her proposed budget that will be presented on Thursday, Nov. 2 at the Burlington City Council meeting. This proposed budget will be broken down into three categories:

1. Essentials – This area will cover projects and items the City of Burlington must address and/or have already committed to, such as cost of inflation, necessary capital projects and infrastructure renewal.
2. Frontline Service – This area will cover enhanced services that directly improves the quality of life of Burlington residents.
3. Planning for Growth – This area will plan for and prepare for the expected increase in population, our Community Investment Plan, and allow us to catch up and prepare for the future.

In service to that, staff will be preparing its 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast Reference Document as part of the 2024 budget process. The Mayor will use this document to create the 2024 Proposed Budget – this is now a new provincially-legislated responsibility that cannot be delegated.

Burlington City Council could have decided to take a pass on the Strong Mayor powers the province gave the municipalities on Canada Day.  They chose not to and as a result the Mayor puts forward a budget that Council can debate and if they wish defeat.  Now that the budget is in the hands of the Mayor the following is the process that will be followed.

It is a complex process.

Council will have the opportunity to bring motions to modify the budget and there will still be multiple opportunities for the public to engage in the budget process and provide their input.

Budget process and key dates

Oct. 30, 2023 – Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability (CSSRA) meeting –
Staff will be presenting a 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast Reference Document to CSSRA Committee. The Mayor will refer to this document as she develops her budget.

Nov. 2 – Burlington City Council meeting

The Mayor, under the new provincial legislation, will present the 2024 proposed budget to Burlington City Council. 

City Council and the public will be given time to review the proposed budget and give the Mayor feedback. 

They are not waving at you. They are voting during a Council session.

Nov. 6 and 7, 2023 – Council workshops
City staff will provide more details on the additional investments in the 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast Reference Document.

Nov. 7, 2023 –Budget Telephone Town Hall
Residents can join the call starting at 7 p.m. to ask questions about the 2024 proposed budget. The telephone town will be hosted by Mayor Meed Ward and run until 8:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 and 23, 2023 – Review of proposed Mayor’s 2024 budget at meeting of Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability (CSSRA) committee, with Special Council meeting to follow
A review of the Mayor’s 2024 proposed budget will take place, including any proposed amendments from Burlington City Council.

Participation opportunities

Residents can register to delegate for an upcoming meeting. Here’s how:

Register to speak at a meeting by completing a delegation registration form or by emailing the request to clerks@burlington.ca. Register by noon the day before the meeting. If the meeting is on a Monday, register by noon on the Friday before.

Standing committee and Council meetings are held using a hybrid format, providing the option of speaking in-person at City Hall, 426 Brant St., or virtually via Zoom.

Related news story:

Mayor Meed Ward did not have to accept Strong Mayor powers