Your 2024 Budget Talks

The City of Welland's 2024 budget is set after Councillors provided and voted on their final amendments to the Mayor's proposed budget, settling on a municipal tax levy increase of 3.15 per cent after assessment growth of 3.08 per cent.

This rate amounts to an approximate $56 annual increase for an average home assessed at $230,000. Residents will also see an approximate increase of $34 on their water and wastewater bills for the low residential user.

In Niagara, property taxes are split among the municipality, regional government, and school board. Welland's share is 3.15 per cent. The total property tax increase for 2024 will be calculated by combining Welland's portion to the increases with the Region and School Boards once those rates are finalized.

The 2024 operating budget totals just over $113 million. The budgets are comprised of the tax-supported operating budget of $75.7 million, the rate-supported operating budget for water and wastewater of $37.3 million, and the combined capital budget of $36 million.

"Council worked diligently with staff to create a budget that supports city services, programs and sustainability while at the same time addressing affordability," said Mayor Frank Campion. "It symbolizes an investment in the collective well-being of our city in the near- and long-term."

This budget marks a significant milestone as it is the inaugural one under the Strong Mayor Powers. Mayor Campion proposed the budget for 2024, which was prepared in coordination with finance staff. A testament to the collaborative nature of governance, Council introduced 52 changes through amendment motions – during special council meetings on Nov. 27 and Dec. 5 – with 14 (12 tax supported and two water/wastewater) being adopted, committing to address the community's needs effectively.

After the first round of conditional amendments, the tax levy was at 3.43 per cent. After the final round of the amendments, in which the budget was adopted, 12 amendments were approved to reduce the tax levy to 3.15 per cent.

Budget highlights:

• Capital spend for roadways; approx. $7.5M
• Capital spend for facilities; approx. $3.9M
• Capital spend for parks/open spaces; approx. $4M
• Capital spend for water; approx. $5.1M
• Capital spend for wastewater; approx. $6.5M

On Dec. 6, Mayor Campion put forward a mayoral decision to shorten the 10-day period for the Mayor to veto amendment resolutions passed by City Council to the Mayor's proposed budget, effectively concluding the budget process and adopting the budget as amended from the Dec. 5 meeting.

The budget underscores the City's dedication to the community through its strategic priorities of economic growth, environmental stewardship, health and well-being, and livability.

Visit the Current Budget webpage for more on the budget.

First of two Council Amendment budget meetings moves budget forward

On November 27, Welland City Council actively engaged in discussions and decision-making regarding the 2024 budget in the first of two council amendment budget meetings.

During that meeting, Councillors exercised their autonomy in amending and determining the budget's trajectory. This marked the initial session of two scheduled Council amendment meetings where all councillors could propose amendments and changes to the proposed budget aligning with their priorities and those of their constituents.

The proposed amendments varied from immediate budget adjustments, like adding funding for staffing to considerations for future financial plans, such as reconsidering capital projects or removing proposed studies.

Each councillor amendment with a specified cost impact, whether eventually integrated into the final budget or not, was presented and discussed. It became the collective responsibility of the Council to advocate for and garner support for these amendments.

As amendments were adopted, staff updated the overall levies for a real-time assessment of levy increases or decreases. With a second amendment meeting scheduled for December 5, the amendments adopted on November 27 were set aside for a final vote at that time. The final decisions on all councillor amendments will be completed at the meeting on December 5.

For residents interested in staying informed or contributing to the budget discussions, they can visit www.engagewelland.ca/your-2024-budget-talks or reach out to Council members.

The mayor’s proposed 2024 budget had a proposed tax levy impact of 2.69%. Presently, the following amendments by Councillors have been approved to proceed to the December 5 meeting as strictly conditional amendments, adjusting this tax levy impact to 3.43%:

Items approved but with no impact on the tax levy are funded through other sources such as reserves or fees collected.

Water and wastewater rate supported operating and capital budget amendments were discussed, but no changes have been made to date.

For the full list of amendments considered, please review the Council Agenda.

Please note that those amendments conditionally approved have not been finalized; this will take place on December 5.

Catch up on all the budget meetings to date.

November 6, 2023 (click the image to watch the video)
November 13, 2023 (click the image to watch the video)
November 15, 2023 (click the image to watch the video)
November 27, 2023
December 5, 2023

Members of the public can provide their feedback related to the 2024 Budget by visiting, asking questions, and leaving comments on this page. They can also contact the Mayor and Council directly.

Register as a delegation: Residents wishing to appear as a delegation to speak to the 2024 budget on November 15 can register through the Clerk’s office by emailing clerk@welland.ca. The deadline for registration is 4 p.m. on Tuesday, November 14. Delegations are limited to 10 minutes.

• Audio/visual presentations
  If you are making a presentation to Council with audio/visual needs, please forward the information to the office of the city clerk as soon as possible upon registration.
• Oral/written presentations
  A photocopy of speaking notes, if any, is requested as soon as possible upon registration.

On Monday, November 6, Welland City Council held its kick-off meeting for the 2024 budget. Staff provided an overview of the new legislation in effect due to the City of Welland receiving Strong Mayor Powers. As of November 6, the 30-day window to complete the budget process began.

You can view the reports in the agenda and watch the meeting video here.

After hearing Council feedback on timelines and opportunities for further discussion, a new budget timetable has been prepared to enhance the process and improve opportunities for Council to ask questions.

Key points to remember:

Promoting engagement: Residents are encouraged to actively participate and engage in the City's budget. Information on the budget can be found on the City’s website and Engage Welland page.

Register as a delegation: Residents wishing to appear as a delegation to speak to the 2024 budget on November 15 can register through the Clerk’s office by emailing clerk@welland.ca. The deadline for registration is 4 p.m. on Tuesday, November 14. Delegations are limited to 10 minutes.

• Audio/visual presentations
  If you are making a presentation to Council with audio/visual needs, please forward the information to the office of the city clerk as soon as possible upon registration.
• Oral/written presentations
  A photocopy of speaking notes, if any, is requested as soon as possible upon registration.

Adhering to the 30-day window: The budget process must now follow the 30-day timeframe as mandated by the Act.

Rescheduled reports: The two reports that couldn't be discussed on November 6 due to a lack of quorum will now be discussed on November 13, right after the Legacy and Board presentations.

SCM #3 for Council questions: SCM #3 will focus on Council questions related to the budgets. Council members are encouraged to communicate directly with staff and save questions, particularly those meant for public discussion, for the meeting on November 15. Each councillor will have a five-minute time slot for their questions.

Dedicated Council amendment meetings: Two designated meetings for Council Amendments, one on November 27 and the other on December 5, have been added to the schedule. No further meetings can be scheduled after December 5 due to the 30-day window.