Your 2024 Budget Talks
Consultation has concluded
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 BudgetContinue reading
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 For starters, the Budget Review Committee (BRC) process employed in the past is no longer applicable.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.
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Have an idea? Let's hear it, Welland.
7 months agoPost your ideas, like other ideas, and help generate some thoughtful visions for the 2023 budget.
JamesTakeo6 months agoArts and Culture
1. A specified amount budgeted for maintenance of public art on municipal property or in municipal possession 2. Separate permissive grants for Public Arts projects submissions 3. A specified percentage or amount dedicated to arts and culture in the budget.
1 comment0Brucetimms6 months agobudget for Climate change resilience for bigger rain storms, adjust the 100 year storm standard for bigger rain and higher winds
0 comment1jtgsystems4 months agoProposal for Subsidized Computer and Laptop Refurbishment Program - help lower income and disabled get a computer and keep landfills clean!
a partnership with the City of Welland to establish a computer and laptop refurbishment / repair program to provide more affordable technology access to low-income residents and people with disabilities. (bring your own device) or we provide one that has been donated to us for a small fee. our website is https://www.jtgsystems.com
1 comment0WellandRez5 months agoStop East Main/Division Street From Becoming a Ghost town
Most of the businesses on Division street, east main, and west main have shut down and the buildings are for sale or lease. The area by city hall is very quickly becoming a ghost town. The more businesses that we loose the less appealing it becomes to open a business in that area. It is sad that this city seems to do everything but attract small business to Welland.
1 comment1jtgsystems4 months agoCreate "Niagara Community Policing"
JTG Systems is partnered with crime stoppers Niagara, and JTG Systems would like to host "Niagara Community Policing " make it Niagara Wide instead of just Welland. opening the conversation of crime prevention in Niagara not just localized to Welland. a few suggestions for hosting a community policing event in Niagara: Partner with local police services and Crime Stoppers Niagara to help organize and promote the event. Having their support will lend credibility. Approach local community centers, libraries, or legion halls to see if they would be willing to host the event every other week at low or no cost. Explain how it benefits community safety. Ask local police services to have a presence at each meeting to answer questions and discuss crime trends/prevention tactics. Their involvement will attract more people. Reach out to service clubs, businesses, and municipal politicians to see if any would sponsor the meetings by helping cover minor costs like refreshments. Offer them recognition. Advertise through local newspapers, radio, social media to build awareness. Emphasize how it's a chance for residents to directly engage with police. Keep the meetings informal with a Q&A format. Discuss timely safety topics but also take questions from attendees. Collect contact info from attendees to build an email list for future promotions. Track attendance to show sponsors the interest. Consider having occasional guest speakers on related topics like self defense, home security, cyber crime, etc. The key will be demonstrating community value, getting police/sponsor support, and promoting it as a collaborative way to address local safety issues. Starting small and growing it could work well.
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Who's Listening
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Manager of Budgets and Financial Reporting/Deputy Treasurer
Corporation of the City of Welland
Phone 905 735-1700 Email elizabeth.pankoff@welland.ca
Timeline
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Nov. 3 Budget Package Distributed
Your 2024 Budget Talks has finished this stage -
Nov. 6 Special Council Meeting #1
Your 2024 Budget Talks has finished this stage -
Nov. 13 Special Council Meeting #2
Your 2024 Budget Talks has finished this stage- Legacy and Boards presentations
- Review of reports not completed on Nov. 6: 3.5 and 3.6
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Nov. 14 Delegations Request Due
Your 2024 Budget Talks has finished this stageMust be in by 4 p.m.
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Nov. 15 Special Council Meeting #3
Your 2024 Budget Talks has finished this stage- Public Delegations
- Council questions about finance reports 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, and budget materials
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Nov. 27 Special Council Meeting #4
Your 2024 Budget Talks has finished this stageCouncil amendment meeting
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Dec. 5 Special Council Meeting #5
Your 2024 Budget Talks has finished this stageCouncil amendment meeting
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Budget passed
Your 2024 Budget Talks is currently at this stage
Reports
- Agenda Package - Dec. 5 including Council amendments (578 KB) (pdf)
- Agenda Package - Nov. 27 - including Council amendments (952 KB) (pdf)
- Tax Supported Operating Budget.pdf (1010 KB) (pdf)
- Rate Supported Operating Capital and Solution Based Options.pdf (990 KB) (pdf)
- Tax Supportd Capital Budget and 9 Year Forecast.pdf (2.26 MB) (pdf)
Important Links
Connect with Council
2024 Proposed Budget Information
Watch Budget Meetings Via Live-steam
Have a Question?
For any Budget related questions, please email budget@welland.ca and someone will be happy to respond.