The Council-approved 2013 budget for the City of Guelph is now available online at guelph.ca/budget.
“My colleagues on City Council and I are working hard to ensure Guelph residents and businesses receive the highest quality, most affordable and efficient services from their local government,” says Mayor Karen Farbridge. “This budget helps us deliver on our mission to build an exceptional city by providing outstanding municipal service and value.”
Aligned with the three focus areas of the City’s strategic plan—organizational excellence, innovation in local government, and city building—the budget allows the City to invest in strategic initiatives designed to strengthen how the City works, and continue upgrading Guelph’s aging roads, water and wastewater systems, buildings, parks, trails, trees and other infrastructure.
“We will continue delivering the programs and services we know are working well for our community and look for ways to avoid costs and improve efficiencies,” says Al Horsman, Chief Financial Officer. “We’re also looking ahead and making key investments to ensure the City is prepared to continue serving this growing and increasingly diverse community.”
This year, City Council approved a 2.97 per cent tax increase over 2012: 2.04 per cent to continue maintaining and upgrading Guelph’s aging roads, water and wastewater systems, buildings, parks, trails trees and other infrastructure, and a further 0.93 per cent to implement strategic initiatives to strengthen how the City works, and deliver public services better.
Print copies of all budget documents will be available for viewing at City Hall and local library branches by the end of the month.