Oakville releases 2022 Budget documents

Yesterday afternoon, staff presented Oakville’s proposed 2022 operating and capital budgets, as well as the forecasted operating increase for 2023 and 2024, to the Budget Committee, achieving Council's direction to keep the overall property tax increase in line with inflation.

Town staff recommended a budget that results in a 2.30 per cent increase to the town’s portion of the tax bill, for an overall property tax increase of 1.70 per cent when combined with the estimated regional and educational tax levies. The proposed increase would see residential property taxes increase by $12.27 per $100,000 of assessment meaning that the owner of a home assessed at $800,000 would pay an additional $98.16 per year or $1.89 per week.

Staff provided an update on the 2022 Operating and Capital budgets, and based on assumptions of how the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to affect operations, staff project that the impact on program budgets is $5.34 million, particularly in Transit, Parking and sport field rental revenues.

In the town’s draft 2022 Operating Budget, staff is recommending a $327.4 million operating budget that will support the delivery of a wide range of programs and services including maintenance of roads and community facilities, fire services, transit, parks and trails, recreation and culture, senior services, libraries, and a host of other important services.

The Budget Committee also received the draft 2022 Capital Budget, which sees $274.8 million of funding to support infrastructure renewal, growth, strategic priorities, and enterprise initiatives. Some of the capital projects for 2022 include:

•    $47.2 million for North Park Community Centre and Library.

The annual budget process also includes the Budget Committee’s review of the town’s rates and fees for programs and services offered to the community (such as transit fares and recreation and culture program fees), and the estimated costs of administering and enforcing the Building Code Act and the Planning Act. The majority of the proposed changes to the 2022 Rates and Fees are in line with inflation as directed by Council in June.

The final recommended budget will go forward to Council for approval on December 20, 2021. Until then, the public is encouraged to get involved through the following opportunities:

•    Thursday, November 25, 7 - 8 p.m. – hosted by Councillor Tom Adams, Budget Committee Chair, learn more about the 2022 Budget, Council’s key budget priorities, and a chance to ask questions. If you would like to attend, please email budget@oakville.ca to be provided with the Zoom link that will admit you to the meeting.

•    November 23, 2021, 9:30 a.m. – staff presentations

All Budget Committee and Council meetings are broadcasted on the town’s YouTube channel.

Visit the 2022 Budget page for more information.

“The proposed 2022 Budget represents our town’s roadmap toward an inclusive and fiscally responsible recovery from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The draft budget responds to Oakville’s many needs and uses our strong fiscal base to help us through these times. The plan includes significant capital improvements to our transportation networks and funding for the new North Park community centre and library which will provide a more even distribution of our community facilities across Oakville when it’s complete. These capital projects are important so we can keep growing our livability.”

Mayor Rob Burton

“Town staff have been working to create a fiscally responsible budget that is in line with Council’s direction to keep the overall property tax increase in line with inflation all while responding to the incredible impacts the pandemic has had on our community and municipal operations. Over the next few weeks, the Budget Committee will be reviewing the budget before making a final recommendation to Council. Public input is a critical part of our process and I look forward to continuing to engage with residents over the next few weeks.”

Tom Adams, Ward 6 Councillor and Budget Committee Chair