Your 2024 Budget Talks

While deliberating the budget, Council will focus on Economic Growth, Environmental Stewardship, Health and Safety, and Livability, the four key focuses of the City’s Strategic Plan.

New budget process

As a result of the newly legislated Strong Mayor Powers, Section 284.16 of the Municipal Act, 2001, outlines a statutory process for the approval of municipal budgets beginning with the presentation of the mayor’s proposed budget, amendment of the proposed budget by City Council, veto of amendments by the mayor, and override of vetoes by City Council.

What does that mean for this year’s budget process? For starters, the Budget Review Committee (BRC) process employed in the past is no longer applicable. As a result of the mayor being legislatively required to bring the budget forward, the BRC is dissolved, as outlined in Mayoral Decision #2.

What is a municipal budget?

The City of Welland produces a responsible and business-ready municipal budget every year. It is one of the City’s most important documents because it guides staff on allocating your tax dollars. This year, in alignment with the newly adopted Strategic Plan, the mayor’s prepared budget focuses on Economic Growth, Environmental Stewardship, Health and Safety, and Livability.

The overall budget is comprised of an Operating Budget, a Capital Budget, and a Water/Wastewater Budget.

Operating Budget: City programs and services are funded through the Operating Budget, which is designed to ensure the consistent delivery of a broad range of essential services. City of Welland tax dollars support service delivery of Fire and Emergency Services, Public Works, Parks and Forestry, Recreation and Culture, and more.

Capital Budget: In order to progress and grow, the City of Welland needs to provide existing services while still planning for population growth, urban revitalization, and economic influxes.

Essentially, the City's Capital Budget must plan for the year ahead by preparing for long-term investments. City infrastructure projects are funded through the Capital Budget. A large part of that funding is directed toward maintaining and rehabilitating existing infrastructure. The City's Capital Budget also prepares spending parameters for new projects. The Capital Budget pays for new facilities, playgrounds, and infrastructure to support our growing city.

Water/Wastewater Budget determines water rates for home and business owners within Welland’s boundaries. It also determines which water/wastewater projects will be initiated or completed within the budget year. The Water/Wastewater Budget ensures that residents and shareholders continue to receive safe drinking water.

So, what does the budget process look like this year?

Under the Strong Mayor Powers legislation, the head of council is required to propose the budget for the municipality each year by February 1. The head of council must share the proposed budget with each member of council and the municipal clerk and make it available to the public. If the head of council does not propose the budget by February 1, council must prepare and adopt the budget. After receiving the proposed budget from the head of council, council can amend the proposed budget by passing a resolution within a 30-day review period

How will the budget be deliberated if there is no BRC?

Similar to past budgets, Council will review and provide input on the budget.

• A prepared budget will be reviewed by City Council.
• Members of Council may continue to use motion memorandums to propose and vote on adjustments to the budget.
• Council will have the opportunity to review and amend the mayor’s prepared budget once presented.

A proposed tax rate will be subject to any amendments brought forward by Council. Council will have the chance to present and suggest any cuts and/or additions to the budget at this meeting.