Council has approved the 2015 rates and fees recommended by the Budget Committee. On average, rates and fees will increase between two and three per cent which will generate close to $1.1 million in revenue to help fund valued programs and services. Council also approved the Budget Committee’s recommendations that student transit fees be frozen and that the province be called upon to provide greater financial support for specialized accessible transit services mandated by the Ontario government.
Council also pre-approved funding for capital projects that are scheduled to get underway during the first quarter of this year including the town’s Emerald Ash Borer Management Program, the rehabilitation of Rebecca Street bridge over Sixteen Mile Creek, renovations to pool equipment and fitness change rooms at Iroquois Ridge Community Centre and repairs at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
Staff will present the 2015 budget discussion document to the Budget Committee on Thursday, February 19. The Budget Committee will then hold both formal and informal public consultation meetings before the budget is brought forward to Council for approval on March 30. The public is encouraged to get involved in the process through the following opportunities:
- Release of the 2015 Budget Book to the Budget Committee on February 19 at 9:30 a.m.
- Budget Open House on Wednesday, February 25 at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre from 7 to 8 p.m.
- Budget Open House on Tuesday, March 3 at Iroquois Ridge Community Centre from 7 to 8 p.m.
- Commission presentations at Budget Committee meeting on March 5 at 9:30 a.m. and March 9 at 9:30 a.m. as required
- Public delegations presented at Budget Committee meeting on March 11 at 9:30 a .m. and 7 p.m.
- Budget Committee deliberations on March 23 at 9:30 a.m.
- Final Budget approval by Town Council on March 30 at 7 p.m.
“We are committed to long-term financial stability for Oakville,” said Councillor Tom Adams, chair of the 2015 Budget Committee. “We will be focusing on building and maintaining infrastructure, continuing to provide high quality programs and services, while keeping overall property tax increases in-line with inflation.”
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. For those who cannot attend the meetings, they are streamed live at TownTV.ca. Residents can also email their comments to budget@oakville.ca. 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 contact Kathy Patrick at 905-845-6601, ext. 4235 or fill out the accessible online feedback form.
