Your 2025 Budget Talks
While deliberating the budget, Council will focus on Economic Growth, Environmental Stewardship, Health and Well-being, and Livability, the four key focuses of the City’s Strategic Plan.
Budget process
Similar to the 2024 budget process, proposed budgets will be published for Council's consideration on November 4, 2024. Council will have the opportunity to deliberate the proposed budgets for 30 days, and the budgets will be adopted on December 4, 2024.
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 staffContinue reading
While deliberating the budget, Council will focus on Economic Growth, Environmental Stewardship, Health and Well-being, and Livability, the four key focuses of the City’s Strategic Plan.
Budget process
Similar to the 2024 budget process, proposed budgets will be published for Council's consideration on November 4, 2024. Council will have the opportunity to deliberate the proposed budgets for 30 days, and the budgets will be adopted on December 4, 2024.
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 prepared budget focuses on Economic Growth, Environmental Stewardship, Health and Well-being, 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: This 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.
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November 11: Special Council Budget Meeting
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The City of Welland’s budget meeting on November 11, 2024, covered legislative responsibilities, community engagement results, and the Mayor’s 2025 proposed budget, including tax-supported and capital budget updates. Three reports were on the agenda:
- Legislative Responsibilities in the Budget Process: Presented legislative requirements for the new budget cycle.
- Budget Communications and Engagement: Showcased resident feedback, identifying priorities for services and spending.
- Mayor’s 2025 Proposed Budget: Outlined the 2025 budget vision, focusing on essential services, economic growth, and community well-being.
The meeting provided an opportunity for City Council to discuss budget priorities and review community feedback in preparation of the first round of amendments, scheduled for November 18.
There are three scheduled Special Council meetings dedicated to the budget process to review and consider amendments to the Mayor’s proposed 2025 budget. The first two meetings are designated for reviewing and conditionally approving submitted amendments, with any approved amendments impacting the final tax and water rates for 2025.
A third meeting will be held for the final approval of these strictly conditional amendments. Before the first two meetings, Council members will have the opportunity to ask questions related to the budget, though they are encouraged to reach out to staff in advance with any inquiries about budget processes, specific items, or other related matters.
To ensure a thorough review of all conditionally approved amendments and their effect on the final tax and water rates, this process will follow a two-step approach. Staff will provide Council with an estimate of the tax or rate impact for each amendment to assist in determining whether the amendment should advance through the approval process.
For those interested in the survey results, you can view them in the Budget Communications and Engagement report (see Appendix A). Additionally, updates will be made to the 2025 Budget page on Engage Welland, including the meeting video, reports, and more.
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Watch now!
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Budget podcast episodes
Share Budget podcast episodes on Facebook Share Budget podcast episodes on Twitter Share Budget podcast episodes on Linkedin Email Budget podcast episodes linkThis series of episodes is focused on the budget process.
2025 Budget: What you Need to Know
2025 Budget: What you Need to Know - Operating Budget
2025 Budget: What you Need to Know - Capital Budget
2025 Budget: What you Need to Know - Asset Management and Nine-year Capital Plans
Who's Listening
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City Treasurer
Phone 905 735-1700 Email elizabeth.pankoff@welland.ca -
Manager of Budgets and Financial Services/Deputy Treasurer
Email anka.vuksan@welland.ca
Timeline
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Budget Preparation
Your 2025 Budget Talks has finished this stage -
September 12, 2024 - Survey now open
Your 2025 Budget Talks has finished this stage -
October 4, 2024, at 12 p.m. - Survey closes
Your 2025 Budget Talks has finished this stage -
November 4, 2024 - Budget Package Distributed
Your 2025 Budget Talks has finished this stage -
November 11, 2024 - Meeting #1 - Discussions/Kickoff of Budget
Your 2025 Budget Talks has finished this stage -
November 18, 2024 - Meeting #2 - Tentatively held for Board/Committee/Presentations
Your 2025 Budget Talks is currently at this stage -
November 20, 2024 - Meeting #3 - Amendment meeting #1
this is an upcoming stage for Your 2025 Budget Talks -
November 27, 2024 - Meeting #4 - Amendment meeting #2
this is an upcoming stage for Your 2025 Budget Talks -
December 4, 2024 - Meeting #5 - 2025 Budgets adopted
this is an upcoming stage for Your 2025 Budget Talks
Watch Budget Meetings Via Live-steam
Recorded Council Budget Meeting Videos
November 11: Special Council Budget Meeting
FAQ
- What is a Municipal Budget?
- How does the budget process work?
- What is involved in planning a Municipal budget?
- Who is involved in the budget process?
- What is a User Fee and how does it affect the budget?
- How can I influence the City’s budget?
- Is a Municipality allowed to run a deficit?
- How does the city maintain accountability and transparency through the budget process?
- What are reserve and reserve funds?
- What does the City do with any excess funds?
- What does our tax dollars fund?
- Is the City's budget the sole budget that makes up my tax bill?