"Preparing Today for Tomorrow"

Mississauga City Council today approved the 2009-2010 City Business Plan and Budget which provides clear direction for moving Mississauga toward a sustainable future.

"We have a business plan that clearly outlines how and where our resources will be used," said Mayor Hazel McCallion. "More importantly, Council and staff have listened to our residents to ensure that their priorities drive our plan. Our plan will allow us to focus our resources and invest in expanding transit services, building the new BRT, improving snow clearing and winter maintenance and starting the transformation of our downtown with the development of a new park temporarily called 'Community Common'."

The City Business Plan and Budget represents an integrated approach to business planning and focuses around five key areas: Transit and Relieving Congestion; the Environment; Implementing Strategic Projects; Infrastructure and Managing the Tax Rate. It provides information on the City's 11 major service areas, budget, major initiatives and performance measures.

"As we face increasing funding challenges, we need to make wise choices and exercise sound judgement with limited resources," said Janice Baker, City Manager and CAO. "We need to ensure we stay focused on continuing to provide the right services to taxpayers today, while actively planning for the future. Our service areas have worked hard to deliver business plans that are sustainable and build upon Council's leadership of fiscal prudence."

"The 2009-2010 City Business Plan and Budget delivers excellent value to the taxpayers of Mississauga," explained McCallion. "We are being extremely prudent with our finances and delivering great value to residents. In 2009, residents will have a tax increase of 1.25 per cent ($47 on average per household) on the total property tax bill. The increase represents 0.97 per cent for operating costs and 0.28 per cent for our infrastructure to ensure it remains in good repair."

"Using the two-year plan, we will continue to deliver value for money through continued emphasis on energy efficiency reviews, internal financial control audits and internal programs that encourage employees to bring forward ideas on streamlining how we do business," explained Baker.  "Following these checks and balances, will ensure we continue to deliver effective and efficient services to the citizens of Mississauga."

The City of Mississauga collects taxes on behalf of the Region of Peel and the Province of Ontario for education. The City portion of a homeowner's tax bill represents approximately 28 per cent of the total property tax bill, with 46 per cent allocated for the Region of Peel and 26 per cent to the Province for education. Of every dollar a resident pays on their tax bill, the City of Mississauga receives approximately 28 cents.

For more information on the City of Mississauga's 2009-2010 City Business Plan and Budget, visit www.mississauga.ca/finance or call Rob Rossini, director of Finance at 905-615-3200,
ext. 5003.

Mississauga is Canada's sixth largest city with a population of more than 700,000. With well-established infrastructure and state of the art facilities, the City is considered to be an employer of choice, delivering quality municipal programs and services to its citizens. Mississauga is a dynamic, diverse and progressive municipality, known for its economic strength and for being Canada's safest city.

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Backgrounder - Highlights from the 2009-2010 City Business Plan and Budget