A special city council meeting has been scheduled for February 20 to finalize the city’s multi-year budget.
Advertisement 2
Article content
The meeting was announced Thursday afternoon by Mayor Kevin Davis who also made public the budget he will be presenting to city council at the special meeting.
Article content
The budget calls for a property tax increase of 5.41 per cent down from the 5.82 per cent recommended by the council’s estimates committee just over a week ago. The mayor’s budget reduces the annual tax increase for the average residential taxpayer to $189.83 a year from $227.51.
The figures are based on a homeowner with a property with an assessed value of $285,000.
Under the provincially-mandated Strong Mayor legislation Davis, as mayor and head of city council, is required to prepare a city budget by Feb. 1. His budget is a combination of the work completed by the estimates committee over the past six weeks with some of the mayor’s adjustments.
Advertisement 3
Article content
The mayor’s 2024 budget calls for spending of $130,158,884 million and can be viewed online at https://www.brantford.ca/en/your-government/resources/Budget/Mayors-2024-Budget-Adjustments.pdf.
Residents can also attend as a delegate to speak at the Feb. 20 meetings. To appear as a delegate visit Brantford.ca/DelegateRegistration.
Budget adjustments made by the mayor include an additional $100,000 in spending to obtain Indigenous consulting services and advice.
In a statement explaining the cost, Davis said the estimates committee had recommended eliminating an Indigenous relations position.
Davis said obtaining advice concerning Indigenous issues is important to the city but doesn’t warrant a full-time position. The most cost effective way to get the advice needed is through consulting services.
Advertisement 4
Article content
Other adjustments include:
A reduction of the winter control (snow clearing) budget to $4 million from $4,627,793.
An additional $6,600 to allow free parking in the Parkade for Brantford Bulldogs weekend games. The goal is to encourage people to use the parkade.
Davis said, in a statement, that the city’s 2024-2027 budget reflects a strong, ongoing commitment by council to maintain and improve the services Brantford residents and businesses rely on.
At the same time, the budget respects taxpayers, many of whom are struggling in difficult and challenging economic times, Davis said.
“The dramatic increase in material, labor and supply costs has had a huge impact on the city’s finances, just as I am sure it has impacted your own family or business,” Davis said in his statement.
Advertisement 5
Article content
The budget includes strategic investments to increase housing affordability and supports and to make improvements to the shelter system, Davis said.
“It includes enhancing facilities, roads, transit and the necessary infrastructure to support future growth,” Davis said in his statement. “Municipal budgets present both challenges and opportunities for cities of every shape and size across Canada.
“We must be prepared to meet the future head-on, with an equally strong emphasis on financial prudence.”
As well, the budgets include saving for the city’s share of the cost for a new hospital, building more recreational opportunities and transportation links. It also strives to create a community that is safer, more prosperous and vibrant for the residents of today, and tomorrow, Davis said.
When the budget is presented to council at the special meeting, Davis he will not veto any budget adjustments approved by council.
“I do this as I have the utmost respect and confidence in each council member and am confident that they will, in their budget decision making, act reasonably and in the best interest of our community,” Davis said.
twitter.com/EXPVBall
Article content