Bramptonians will be happy to know that their city’s 2021 budget will have a 0% property tax increase.
David Barrick, Brampton’s Chief Administrative Officer, feels that “the City’s strong financial position was a driving factor in our efforts to maximize value for taxpayers”.
Brampton City Council unanimously approved the 2021 Budget at a Special Council Meeting yesterday.
Alongside the third consecutive tax freeze, the City will continue to invest in infrastructure and transit through dedicated levies and a record contribution to reserves in this budget, ensuring sustainability in its asset base and meeting growing demands for transit. The contribution to reserves also includes the stormwater charge revenue, resulting in a $114 million investment in capital works through the 2021 budget, officials said in a media statement.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected residents and businesses, and the 2021 Budget aims to support and strengthen our community as a result. This Budget focuses on a lower baseline budget to maintain service levels, and timely investments to build a connected, vibrant, green, and healthy and safe city that nurtures economic growth opportunities,” officials added.
The $1.2 billion budget includes a $767 million operating budget (staff salaries, maintenance, utilities, reserves) and a $476 million capital budget (purchase, major repair and replacement of assets: roads, buildings, etc.).
Among the key expenditures is $26.1 million over three years in the Riverwalk project in downtown to boost economic opportunities and mitigate flood risks, $10 million to support healthy community living and $250,000 to continue the eco-friendly Community Garden and Backyard Garden Programs to help support food security.
The City invited the public to provide their input on the 2021 Budget by email, phone, and a telephone town hall. Many residents, organizations and stakeholders also made presentations to the Budget Committee in November.
“The people of Brampton made their choice clear about the importance of maintaining service levels and keeping their tax bill affordable,” said Paul Vicente, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 and 5 and Vice-Chair, Budget Committee. “We engaged with more than 7,850 participants during our budget process and focused on delivering the best value for our citizens and excellence in the services we provide for our diverse, vibrant community.”
