Guelph, ON, November 1, 2013 – Community members are invited to attend as the proposed 2014 Tax-supported Operating Budget is presented to City Council for consideration on Tuesday, November 5 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
The $192,865,918 proposed budget represents a 2.73 per cent base budget increase and a proposed 0.63 per cent investment to streamline and optimize City operations and improve service to the community.
The total 3.36 per cent increase represents an average property tax increase of $107 for the average residential taxpayer with a property valued at $311,136. Combined with proposed changes to Guelph’s water and wastewater rates, the potential impact on an average household is roughly $134 in 2014.
There are no service reductions or eliminations proposed as part of this budget. Rather, it builds on the strategic and service investments Council approved last year.
“The proposed budget is based on Guelph’s strong financial foundation and financial performance,” says chief financial officer Al Horsman. “The City’s financial position is not only healthy, it’s getting stronger, and that puts us in an excellent position for building Guelph’s future.”
This year’s proposed budget was informed by a formula designed to offer predictability, and reflect inflationary pressures, demand for City services, efficiencies and productivity improvements.
Part of the proposed budget’s strength lies in the integration of Guelph’s strategic and financial planning. “Blending strategic and financial planning has allowed us to balance a range of competing needs into a solid budget that implements Council’s decisions,” says chief administrative officer Ann Pappert. “The result is a budget that offers greater transparency, confidence and prosperity for residents today and for future generations.”
Community members can provide input on all aspects of the City’s budget on Thursday, November 28 at 6 p.m. Anyone wishing to address City Council at the meeting is invited to contact the City’s Clerk’s Office at 519-837-5603 or [email protected] by 9 a.m. on Friday, November 22.
City Council is scheduled to vote on the Tax-supported Operating Budget on Thursday, December 5. The complete budget schedule and all related documents are available at guelph.ca/budget.