City’s 2018 Budget Outlook Aims to Balance Service Delivery with Fiscal Responsibility

City staff today provided Budget Committee with an update on preparations for the proposed 2018 to 2021 Business Plan and 2018 Budget. The Budget details how the City spends taxpayer dollars to support programs and services and advance the City’s Strategic Plan.

The update included an overview of key items that are likely to be in the proposed budget, but could change depending on Council direction, or new information received over the coming months.

Staff presented an estimated increase to the City’s operating budget of 5.6 per cent, including a proposed 2 per cent infrastructure levy for capital repairs and maintenance and 0.9 per cent for new services outlined below. The operating budget is a combination of known expenses, expected future costs and forecasted revenues for the next year. The City’s budget pays for public transit, parks, community centre programs, libraries and much more.

“We start the 2018 Budget process with a renewed commitment to creating a strong financial plan that invests in our city’s future while delivering the quality public services residents rely on each and every day, like public transit,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “The results of our recent Citizen Satisfaction Survey show that a majority of residents believe they receive good value for their taxes. As a Council, we have directed staff to look for additional savings to reduce the estimated impact on the taxpayer. We will continue to engage with our citizens, businesses and community partners as we develop another solid financial blueprint for Mississauga’s promising future in 2018 and beyond.”

Proposed service changes for 2018:

• Increased MiWay service
• Improvements to roadways and additional transportation enhancements
• Staffing for the new Fire Station 120 at Hurontario Street and Eglinton Avenue
• Technology investments to increase customer self-service options
• Increased investments in both physical and cyber security

The City’s portion of the tax bill is 34 per cent. The estimated impact on the total property tax bill is 1.9 per cent on the residential bill and 1.2 per cent on the commercial bill.

“Looking ahead to 2018, we face challenges associated with new employment legislation and increased costs. In our budget discussions, we will continue to focus on fiscal responsibility and continuous improvement to help us build our city and advance our priorities,” said Janice Baker, City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer. “We are on the right track. We will continue to work with Council to provide value for tax dollars achieved through cost savings and greater efficiencies.”

A potential hotel tax, performance measures, the City’s reserves forecast and Lean program were also discussed.

Budget Committee meetings resume on September 20 (Fees and Charges) and continue on November 20, 21, 27, 28 and 29. The 2018 Budget is expected to be approved by Council on December 13, 2017.

For more information on the City’s budget and how your tax dollars are spent visit mississauga.ca/budget.

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• Budget and Taxes
• Council and Committees