Yesterday, town staff presented Oakville’s proposed 2016 Operating Budget to the Budget Committee achieving Council's direction to keep the total property tax increase in line with inflation. Town staff recommended a 2.45 per cent increase to the town’s portion of the tax bill for an overall property tax increase of 1.68 per cent when combined with the estimated regional and educational tax levy. The proposed increase would see residential property taxes increase by $14.29 per $100,000 of assessment meaning that a home assessed at $400,000 would pay an additional $57.16 per year or $1.10 per week.
“It delivers on our promise to keep property taxes in line with inflation while offering valued programs and services, and setting aside sufficient funding for infrastructure renewal," stated Mayor Rob Burton.
In the town’s Draft 2016 Operating Budget staff is recommending a $297.7 million operating budget to provide a wide range of programs and services including winter road maintenance, parks and trails, harbours, transit, emergency services, recreation and culture, senior services, libraries, and to keep the town’s roads and community facilities in a state of good repair.
Some program enhancements recommended for 2016 include funding for year one of the Transit Service Plan, the introduction of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system in town libraries, and increased resources to meet recreational program demands.
In October, the Budget Committee reviewed the town’s Draft 2016 Capital Budget and 2016-2025 Capital Budget and Forecast which sees $99.4 million of funding in 2016 and just over $1 billion for capital requirements over the next 10 years with a focus on transportation, infrastructure renewal and other elements related to growth.
Oakville’s capital budget is aimed at five key components – infrastructure renewal, growth, strategic priorities, community enhancements and enterprise initiatives.
In addition, every year as part of the annual budget process, the Budget Committee reviews the town’s rates and fees charged for programs and services offered to the community as well as the estimated costs of administering and enforcing the Building Code Act and the Planning Act. The majority of the proposed changes to the 2016 Rates and Fees results from the inflationary increased cost of delivering the service or the availability of new services.
“This recommended budget aims at delivering long-term sustainability of our infrastructure, our facilities, as well as our outstanding programs and services while keeping our overall tax increase in line with inflation,” said Budget Committee Chair Councillor Tom Adams. “Over the coming weeks Budget Committee members will be reviewing the budget before it goes to Council for approval in December. These are you tax dollars at work so I encourage all residents to review the budget documents and provide feedback.”
The Budget Committee will be holding both formal and informal public consultation meetings before the budget is brought forward to Council for approval on December 14, 2015.
The public is encouraged to get involved in the process through the following opportunities:
Budget Open Houses
- Monday, November 23 at Iroquois Ridge Community Centre from 7 to 8 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 1 at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre from 7 to 8 p.m.
Budget Committee Meetings
- Commission presentations on November 19 at 1 p.m.
- Public delegations presented on November 30 at 9:30 a.m. and December 2 at 7 p.m.
- Budget Committee deliberations on December 7 at 9:30 a.m.
- Final Budget approval by Town Council on December 14 at 7 p.m.
All Budget Committee and Council meetings will be held in Council Chamber at Town Hall, located at 1225 Trafalgar Road and are open to the public. Those wishing to appear as a delegate before the Budget Committee may register in person at the meeting, or in advance by emailing [email protected] or calling 905-815-6015. For those who cannot attend the meetings, they are streamed live at TownTV.ca Residents can also email their comments to [email protected].
All submissions whether in person, writing, email or social media, will be considered as part of the Budget Committee deliberations.
If you would like to attend a meeting and have any accessibility needs please email [email protected] or 905-815-6015 or fill out the accessible online feedback form.
For more details and information about the recommended 2016 Operating and Capital budget and how to get involved visit, oakville.ca.