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2016

2016 Budget*

Your 2016 Municipal Tax Dollars At Work

* Proposed Operating Budget and Approved Capital Budget and Forecast

A Message from the Director of Finance Joan Ford, Director of Finance ...................................................................................... 3

Competitive Property TaxesYour Tax Dollar ................................................................................................................ 4

Who provides your municipal services? ..................................................................... 4

Where does the money come from? ........................................................................... 5

What services receive funding? ................................................................................... 6

City of Burlington taxes are competitive ....................................................................7

Ontario municipalities receive how much out of every tax dollar? ....................... 8

Government Revenues: Federal, Provincial and Municipal .................................... 8

Low-income seniors’ property tax rebate ................................................................. 9

Property tax deferral – residential .............................................................................. 9

How are property taxes calculated? ..........................................................................10

Responsible Debt ManagementThe City of Burlington’s debt policy ...........................................................................12

How the city borrows money to finance infrastructure projects ..........................13

Improved Reserves and Reserve FundsExplaining reserves and reserve funds .....................................................................15

Predictable Infrastructure InvestmentThe City of Burlington’s spending on infrastructure ...............................................16

A pictorial of how infrastructure funds are distributed .......................................... 17

Recognized Value for ServicesTaxes for a Burlington household ..............................................................................18

Ontario average annual household spending ..........................................................18

City ServicesCity Services ..................................................................................................................19

Table of Contents

Your 2016 Municipal Tax Dollars At Work | 1

2 | 2016 Budget

In November 2015, City Council began its review of the proposed 2016 operating

and capital budget.

2016 marks the second year the city will be adopting a service-based budgeting

view for the operating budget. In the past, the budgets were presented by

department which did not necessarily reflect the investment made in delivering

the various services offered to our residents.

Under the service-based approach, a total of 47 services are identified. Of these,

24 services are delivered directly to the public, 13 are internally focused support

services and 10 are managed externally by distinct governance structures but

receive a significant portion of their funding from the city.

Some of this year’s proposed budget highlights are:

• The 2016 budget delivers a base budget increase that continues to provide

existing services aligned with inflation as per the objectives of the long term

financial plan.

• Consistent with the recommendations of the Asset Management Financing

Plan, an increase of 1.44 per cent is proposed to the dedicated levy for capital

infrastructure. This amount also includes financing charges for accelerated

infrastructure renewal.

• There are 16 service business cases totaling $438,000. They include proposals

to address climate change, enhance bylaw enforcement, new community

investment initiative and reduced seniors’ transit fare program.

• The Burlington Performing Arts Centre has two business cases totaling

$188,000 for community engagement and enhanced customer service.

• The proposed operating budget reflects a city tax increase of 3.85 per cent.

• Combined with the regional portion and the education portion of the property

tax bill, the overall proposed property tax increase is 2.30 per cent.

This proposed 2016 budget maintains services while providing strategic

investments that contribute to a high quality of life for Burlington residents.

Thank you,

Joan Ford

Director of Finance

A Message from the Director of Finance


Competitive Property Taxes

Your tax dollarThe City of Burlington gets $0.43 per $1 of residential

property tax.

The City of Burlington collects taxes for the City, Halton

Region and the Halton District School Boards. For each 2016

residential tax dollar collected, approximately 43 per cent

stays with the city, 36 per cent goes to Halton Region and 21

per cent goes to the Halton District School Boards.

Who provides your municipal services?

City of Burlington (Not a complete list)

Halton Region (Not a complete list)

Fire ProtectionGreencart, Recycling,

and Waste Collection

Roadway and Sidewalk

Maintenance

Social Housing

(incl. Seniors)

Local Boards (Libraries,

Museums, Art Gallery of

Burlington, etc.)

Public Health and

Ambulance Services

RecreationEmployment and

Social Services

Transit Halton Regional Police

Transportation Network

Planning

Conservation

Authorities

Parking Management

Winter Maintenance

City of Burlington 42.7%

Region of Halton 35.9%

Boards of Education 21.4%

42.7%

35.9%

4%

4 | 2016 Budget

Where does the money come from?The city’s proposed budgeted revenue for 2016 is

$223.2 million. Most revenue comes from property

taxes – 68 per cent ($146.9 million including $4.8 million

levy for the city’s contribution to the redevelopment

of the Joseph Brant Hospital). Senior government

grants, from the federal and provincial governments,

contribute another three per cent ($7.6 million), and the

city generates approximately 31 per cent ($68.8 million)

from all other sources, such as user fees and corporate

revenues.

Total Proposed Operating Budget $223,226,855

Senior government grants (Federal

and Provincial)$7,584,097

User fees (registrations, licensing, etc.)

and external recoveries$35,435,230

Other Corporate Revenues

(i.e. investment income, supplementary

taxes, PILs, Hydro contribution)

$33,324,187

Total property tax revenue – City Services

$142,083,341

Total property tax revenue – Joseph Brant Hospital

$4,800,000

City of Burlington Property Taxes: 66%

includes Joseph Brant Hospital Levy: 2%

Senior Government Grants: 3%

User Fees and External Recoveries: 16%

Other Corporate Revenues: 15%

66%

2%

3%



What services receive funding? Where is the money invested?The chart below illustrates where the City invests the revenue it receives from property taxes for a Burlington home valued

at $417,645 (based on the 2015 current value assessment). This breakdown excludes property taxes paid for Regional and

Educational services.

City Property Tax investments made

$15.72

($4.91)

Capital

Public Safety

Maintenance

Internal Support and Administration

Local Boards and Other Agencies

Roads and Transportation

Leisure

Provision for Joseph Brant Hospital

Design and Build

Mayor and Council

Customer Relations and Citizen Representation

Corporate Expenditures/Revenues

$16.40

$28.16

$52.87

$112.72

$153.50

$155.43

$189.89

$246.35

$318.19

$340.87

Total $1,625.19

6 | 2016 Budget

HALTON

HaltonHills

Milton

BurlingtonOakville

PEEL

Caledon

Brampton

Mississauga

YORK

King

Vaughan

NewmarketAurora

RichmondHill

Stouffville

Markham

DURHAMPickering

Ajax Whitby

Oshawa

Lake Ontario

TORONTO

City of Burlington’s taxes are competitiveAs with all municipalities, the City of Burlington strives to strike the right balance for its residents: maintaining existing services,

programs and infrastructure and sometimes enhancing services, while minimizing tax increases. In a climate of increasing costs,

this can be a challenge. Burlington’s residential property taxes remain below the group average when compared to similar homes

in municipalities across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

2014 residential comparison by Municipality (detached bungalow)

Milt

on

$5,000

$4,000

$3,000

$2,000

$1,000

Hal

ton

Hill

s

Bur

lingt

on

Ric

hmon

d H

ill

Oak

ville

Gro

up A

vera

ge

Ham

ilton

Mis

siss

auga

Whi

tby

Osh

awa

Vau

ghan

Mar

kham

Source: BMA 2014 Study



Ontario municipalities get just 10.5 percent out of every tax dollar you pay (federal, provincial and municipal)When you consider all the taxes that you, as a homeowner in Burlington, pay to the federal, provincial and municipal

governments, the federal and provincial governments take the lion’s share. The City of Burlington and Region of Halton receive

only a small amount of your total tax dollars through property taxes – in fact, only about 10.5 per cent. Yet with this 10.5 per cent,

the City and the Region provide many of the day-to-day services that we all rely on.

This is not a criticism of other levels of government, but it highlights the reality of how your tax dollar is distributed among the

three levels of government.

Government revenues: federal, provincial and municipal

Government of Canada Revenues Provincial Government Revenues Municipal Revenues

Federal income tax

Sales tax (HST)

Employment Insurance (EI)

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

contributions

Corporate tax

Duty and excise tax

Liquor tax

Provincial income tax

Sales tax (HST)

Property tax (Education)

Corporate tax

Gasoline and tobacco tax

Health tax

Liquor tax

Federal transfers

Property tax

Intergovernmental grants

(Federal and provincial gas tax)

User fees

Registration fees

Licences/Permits

Other

Breakdown of the average family’s* tax bill by level of government, 2013, preliminary estimate

i l

89.5%

10.5%

*The average family with two or more individuals.

Source: The Fraser Institute’s Canadian Consumer Tax Index, 2014

Federal and Provincial Government: 89.5%

Local Government: 10.5%

8 | 2016 Budget

Low-income seniors’ property tax rebateA tax grant is offered to eligible seniors in the amount of $525 (proposed 2016 amount) under Section 365 of the Municipal Act,

2001.

In order to be eligible for the tax rebate, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be 65 years of age or older;

• Receive the guaranteed income supplement;

• Occupy the property as a personal residence; and

• Be the assessed owner of a residential property in Burlington for the entire calendar year.

Only one person per household is eligible for a grant in any year. A separate application is required for each year in which the

rebate is claimed. This application must be submitted by December 31st of each calendar year.

Property tax deferral - residentialHalton Region offers a program for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities to defer payment of the increase in

property taxes from 2015 to 2016. The application for 2016 must be submitted within 45 days of the date of mailing of the final

property tax bill. For more details, contact Tax Policy staff at The Regional Municipality of Halton, 1151 Bronte Rd., Oakville,

Ontario L6M 3L1, 905-825-6000.



How are property taxes calculated?Understanding the relationship between assessment and taxes Property tax remains the largest and most important revenue

source for municipalities. It is the only tax that municipalities

have the authority to collect. The two components required

for determining property taxes are

• the current assessed value of the property and

• the tax rate applied to the property class.

Assessment Current value assessment is the amount of money that a

property would sell for, if sold at arm’s length by a willing

seller to a willing buyer. The Municipal Property Assessment

Corporation (MPAC) is responsible for setting assessment

values for all properties in Ontario. The Current Value

Assessment is based on the valuation date of Jan. 1, 2012 and

is phased-in over four years (2013 – 2016).

Residential tax rate The tax rate consists of three components: The City of

Burlington, Halton Region and Education. The city and

regional portions are based on budgetary needs while the

education portion is based on the provincial education

funding requirements. The residential tax rate is determined

by dividing the budgetary needs by the total assessment

base. Tax rates are set for each property class.

Calculating property taxes Property taxes are calculated using the property’s assessed

value, the municipal tax rates (City and Region) and the

Education tax rate. The formula is:

Assessed Value X City of Burlington Tax Rate= Amount of City of Burlington Property Tax

+Assessed Value X Halton Region Tax Rate= Amount of Halton Region Property Tax

+Assessed Value X Education Tax Rate= Amount of Education Property Tax

= Total Property Taxes

10 | 2016 Budget

Debt Charges and

Liabilities (incl. JBH)

City debt limit policy

Debt Charges and

Liabilities (ex. JBH)

Responsible Debt Management

Debt charges and liabilities as percentage of net revenue

8.9% 9.1%

7.3% 7.1% 7.4% 7.4%6.8% 6.8% 6.6%

8.2% 8.1% 8.0%8.6%

11.3%10.2%

12.5% 12.4%

9.3% 9.2%8.6% 8.5% 8.3%

12.5%

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

City of Burlington’s debt policyThe Province of Ontario legislates a municipal debt limit of

no greater than 25 per cent of revenues. Consistent with the

City of Burlington’s Long Term Financial Plan, the city’s debt

policy limits the total debt charges and liabilities to 12.5 per

cent of revenues.

The debt financing in the future is projected to be at the

limit in 2016, reducing to 8.3 per cent by 2022. The City of

Burlington’s contribution to the Joseph Brant Hospital (JBH)

re-development plan is a significant factor in the city’s debt

calculation. The high levels in 2016 and 2017 represent large

payment commitments to the hospital in those years.

The City of Burlington has approximately $96 million

in outstanding debt. Every year, a portion of the city’s

operating budget is used to pay the interest and principal

on the outstanding debt. The more the city spends on debt

repayment, the fewer funds are available for other city

programs.

An effective debt policy is an important part of having

a responsible financial plan. Just like managing debt is

important for individuals and families, it is also important for

the city. By controlling debt levels, it allows the city to make

the necessary spending choices. It is also designed to keep

our city financially stable and sustainable, while allowing

the flexibility to borrow money in the future as unexpected

capital needs arise.

Just as maxing out a credit card would be a poor financial

decision for an individual, so too would maxing out the

city’s debt. Staying at or below the targeted debt level gives

Burlington the flexibility to manage how to finance much

needed capital expenses in the future.

12 | 2016 Budget

How the city borrows money to finance infrastructure projectsThe city borrows money for capital projects such as roads, buildings and other infrastructure, and usually does so over a

ten-year term.

The process by which the city borrows money for infrastructure purposes is straightforward. First, a bylaw is passed

by Council to borrow funds for a capital project. The bylaw must include a description of the project, the dollar amount

needed to complete it, and the term of the debenture. The city forwards this information to the Region of Halton who is the

governing authority for issuing debt for the local municipalities in Halton Region.

Consequently, the Region of Halton consolidates all approved municipal bylaws and obtains Regional Council approval to

borrow the total funds required.

The Region of Halton then issues a debenture, which is sold to the public market through a broker.

Under this process, the city is able to leverage Halton Region’s AAA credit rating to get favourable borrowing rates, thereby

minimizing long-term infrastructure financing costs.


14 | 2016 Budget

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%

16.0%

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

target range

Stabilization reserve funds as a percent of net revenue

Improved Reserves and Reserve Funds

Explaining reserve funds The city holds reserves and reserve funds which function in a

similar way to your savings account: they ensure that the city

has the necessary funding for specific purposes or capital

projects.

The City has established principles to manage reserve and

reserve funds to ensure appropriate use and to foster long-

range planning of city funds.

Reserves Reserves are set up by Council for specific purposes, and are

used to cushion the impact that major expenditures would

otherwise have on tax rates in a given year. Reserves do not

earn interest.

Reserve funds Unlike a standard reserve, which could be used similar to a

savings account, the assets in a reserve fund earn interest.

There are two types of reserves and reserve funds:

• Obligatory – required for legislated purposes, (i.e.

Development Charges reserve funds).

• Discretionary – established by bylaw for specific

purposes (i.e. Tax Rate Stabilization reserve fund).

Focus on stabilization reserves and reserve funds The City of Burlington is focused on maintaining adequate

reserves and reserve funds. This provides the city with the

financial flexibility to respond to uncontrollable factors. i.e.

economic cycles and sustainability to plan for today and for

the future.

In order to continue to build the balance and to maintain a

prudent level, the city is targeting a balance in stabilization

reserve funds of between 10-15 per cent of net revenues.

Source: City Year End Reserve Statements and FIRs (Schedule 81)


Predictable Infrastructure Investment

42%19%

% 11%

8%

8%

The city’s spending on roads, parks, buildings, vehicles,

storm water management, parking and technology - makes

up a significant component of the city’s overall budget. In

2016, the city’s capital budget is $53 million of which 83 per

cent of capital projects are focused on renewal of existing

city infrastructure.

Depending on the size of the project, funds may be spent in

one year or spread over several years. City Council approves

the current year of the capital budget and the forecasted nine

years in principle. The intent of providing a 10-year forecast

of capital projects and financing requirements is to facilitate

long-term planning and prudent financial management.

Cash Financing: 42%

Recoveries from Other

Government Bodies and Other: 8%

Reserve Funds: 19%

Development Charges: 8%

Gas Tax: 12%

Debt: 11%

The city’s 10-year capital budget is approximately $621

million. Investment in roadways represents the largest

component in the budget, at 49 per cent. Facilities and

buildings are another large component of investment

representing about 16 per cent of the 10-year capital budget.

The capital budget is funded from various sources illustrated

in the figure above. The majority of funding comes from the

operating budget (cash financing), representing 42 per cent of

the total capital budget. Other funding sources include debt

11 per cent, reserve funds 19 per cent, development charges 8

per cent, federal and provincial gas tax 12 per cent, as well as

recoveries from other government bodies 8 per cent.

The city has an obligation to protect its investment and

strike a balance between building new infrastructure versus

renewal of existing infrastructure. The total replacement

value of the city’s capital assets is approximately $2.5

billion. Of this, approximately $2 billion is made up of linear

assets including roads, storm sewers, bridges/culverts and

sidewalks. A further $301 million is made up of city owned

facilities and buildings.

The city is faced with a challenge of developing sustainable

financing strategies to reduce the infrastructure deficit.

The following financial strategies were included in the 2016

budget:

• A 1.44 per cent tax levy increase which will be directed

towards infrastructure renewal. This is consistent with the

Asset Management Financing Plan approved in December

2013 which recommended increased funding to the capital

budget to provide stable ongoing funding to infrastructure

renewal.

• An additional $20 million in funding is directed towards

accelerating 2016-2019 road infrastructure renewal in

order to avoid more costly reconstruction in the future.

16 | 2016 Budget

Roadways and Storm DrainageProposed 2016-2025 budget: $358 million

Replacement cost: $2,031 million

Waste Management,Water & Wastewater

(Halton Region services)

Local BoardsProposed 2016-2025 budget: $11 million

Replacement cost: $67 million

Facilities and BuildingsProposed 2016-2025 budget: $102 million

Replacement cost: $234 million

Land Improvements (Parks & Open Space)

Proposed 2016-2025 budget: $69 millionReplacement cost: $137 million

Vehicles and Equipment(includes Computers and Technology)

Proposed 2016-2025 budget: $81 millionReplacement cost: $79 million

Capital infrastructure: Where does the money go?

Numbers may not add up due to rounding.

Asset Class Total:Approved 2016-2025 budget: $621 million

Replacement cost: $2,548 million


Projected annual tax based on a home assessed at $417,645

2016 Proposed Taxes

Burlington $1,625

Halton Region $1,363

Education $812

2016 Projected annual total property tax

$3,800

2015 Approved total property tax

$3,718

Tax Increase $82

Property taxes for Burlington households

Recognized Value for Services

Ontario average annual household spending

Personal Taxes*$13,891

Transporta

tion $12,041

Shelter $

16,387

Other $10,996

Food $7,980

Household $6,320

Recreation $3,922

Clothing and accessories $3,550

Health Care $2,407

Education $1,5

18

*Federal and provincial, excluding property taxesSource: Statistics Canada, CANSIM, table 203-0021 (2013) and Catalogue no. 62F0026M

18 | 2016 Budget

City Services

Public Safety

Fire Protection $306.28/YearImplementation of three lines of defense (Public Education, Fire

Safety Standards and Enforcement, and Emergency Response).

What you get:• 203 full-time staff (172 Firefighters, three Mechanics, three

Training Officers, eight Fire Prevention, nine Fire Public Safety

Telecommunications, four Management, three Administrative

Support, one Corporate Emergency Management Coordinator)

• Four part-time Fire Public Safety Telecommunicators (dispatch)

staff

• 65 volunteer firefighters

• Eight fire stations (seven career and one volunteer)

• 1055 fire prevention inspections and public education events

(estimated 2015)

• 7,100 City of Burlington fire response 9-1-1 calls responded to

(estimated 2015)

• 13,500 9-1-1 fire calls handled by fire dispatch (estimated 2015)

• 17 emergency response vehicles

• Three reserve vehicles

• One antique fire truck

Animal Control $5.75/YearEnforcement of city’s Animal Control Bylaw

What you get:• 65 tickets issued (estimated 2015)

• 220 animal adoptions (estimated 2015)

• 8,500 dog licenses issued (estimated 2015)

Bylaw Enforcement $4.74/YearEnforcement of city bylaws (other than parking).

What you get:• Bylaw enforcement to ensure property maintenance, minimize

nuisance and address the neglect of properties

• Enforcement of the zoning bylaw and issuance of 811 zoning

certificates (2014)

• Issuance of portable sign permits and pool permits

• Responded to 2107 calls for bylaw enforcement (2014)

• 282 new business licenses and 1,265 renewals issued (2014)

• Property information reports

• Liquor License approvals

Emergency Management $1.43/YearProtection of lives and property. Through an ongoing assessment

of risk, this service prepares for, responds to and recovers from

major community emergencies.

What you get:• One Emergency Planner

• Risk management

• Coordinated emergency management

• Recovery from an emergency

• Public outreach and education


City Services

Maintenance

Roadway and Sidewalk $89.92/Year MaintenanceMaintenance of public road and sidewalk infrastructure, including

pavement, curbs, gutters, bridges, culverts, street lighting and

traffic control devices.

What you get: • 1,645 lane kilometres of roads maintained

• 810 kilometres of sidewalk inspected each spring

• Maintenance of 15,000 street lights

• 3,100 sidewalk bays repaired and replaced (2014)

• 1,415 street signs replaced ( 2014)

Winter Maintenance $51.87/YearSnow plowing and salting/sanding of public roads, sidewalks,

walkways and parking areas.

What you get:• Maintenance for 1,888 lane kilometres of roadways (including

anti-icing, plowing, salting or sanding and snow removal)

• Maintenance for 811 kilometres of sidewalk (including shoveling

of bus pads, shelters and school crossings)

• Maintenance of municipal parking lots, multi-use trails and

walkways in designated areas

• 15,155 tonnes of salt used (2014)

Parks and Open Space $51.56/Year MaintenanceWhat you get:• Maintenance of trails, hard surface pathways and parking lots

fences, park furnishings and signage

irrigation systems, water fountains and splash pads

flower beds and shrubs

washroom and change facilities

• 270.8 hectares of turf maintained (2014)

• 1,095 playground inspections completed (2014)

Tree Management $30.41/YearMaintenance of City-owned trees and provision of loose leaf

collection

What you get:• 57,900 street trees maintained (2014)

• 606 new and replacement trees planted (2014)

• 4,500 tons of loose leaves collected annually

Surface Water Drainage $18.24/YearManagement of surface water drainage through planning, design,

construction, permits and inspection of surface water drainage

systems as well as maintenance of creeks, road allowance

drainage, catchbasins, storm inlet structures and oil and grit

separator manholes.

What you get:• Maintenance of 11 major creeks within the urban boundary,

totaling 90 km. 390 meters of creek erosion control works were

completed (2015)

• Maintenance of 1,350 rural area culverts and road side ditches.

18 culverts replaced (2015)

• Maintenance of 15,600 catch basins, 4,000 catch basins were

cleaned out (2015)

• Maintenance and refurbishment of 21 city owned storm water

management ponds. One pond was refurbished (2015)

20 | 2016 Budget

Environment and Energy $3.84/YearEnvironmental management of city operations and coordination of

community environmental programs.

What you get:• Coordination and implementation of the Community Energy

Plan with community stakeholder partners – five goals; 11

objectives; 55 actions

• Coordination and implementation of the Corporate Energy

Management Plan

• Development and implementation of environmental policies

and strategies to influence and guide sustainability of city

operations and services

• Introduction of the Take Action Burlington environmental

sustainability blog

• Monitoring and improvement of building systems (heating,

cooling, lighting, electrical, etc.) through the building

automation system to increase indoor comfort and reduce

energy

• Implementation of energy efficiency measures identified in

corporate energy audits

Cemetery $0.50/YearMaintenance of municipal cemetery properties and arrangement of

burial services.

What you get:• Grounds Maintenance of Greenwood Cemetery (7 hectares) and

10 pioneer cemeteries (2.75 hectares)

• 600 customer inquiries (2014)

• 133 interment services (2014)

Roads and Transportation

Transit $116.36/YearA variety of conventional and handi-van public transit services

across the city’s urban area.

What you get:• Annual ridership of over two million passengers

• 33 transit routes including 3 late night and Community

Connection routes

• Service 363 days a year

• 4.5 million km travelled/year

• 55 buses, 11 Handi-vans; fully accessible fleet

• Bike racks on all buses

• Over 850 stops

• 204 bus shelters

• Connections to 3 GO stations and 407/Dundas GO hub

• Two-hour transfers within Burlington and with Hamilton Street

Railway (HSR) and Oakville Transit

• Fare Integration with GO Transit when using PRESTO Card

Traffic Operations Management $21.62/YearControlled traffic on public roads and sidewalk crossings.

What you get:• Central control of 200 traffic signals on City, Regional Roads

and Provincial Highways within the City of Burlington

• 88 school crossing guard locations

• Support of on-road community special events (e.g. Road race

events, Terry Fox Run, Santa 5K)

• Neighbourhood traffic calming reviews

• Issuance of road occupancy permits


City Services

Road and Structure - $16.64/Year Design and ConstructionDesign and construction services for roads and related structures.

What you get:• 17.2 km of new roadways constructed/reconstructed (2015)

• 6.5 km of arterial roadways resurfaced (2015)

• 9.1 km of curbs constructed/replaced (2015)

• 421 m of storm sewers constructed/replaced (2015)

• 5 Class Environmental Assessments and studies (2015)

• 28 public information sessions and design open houses (2015)

• 229 Municipal Consent Applications processed for utility

companies (2015)

• 135 Driveway Widening and Road Cuts permits (2015)

• 450 m of noise walls (2015)

Transportation $4.70/Year Network PlanningTransportation, mobility planning and functional design for people,

goods and services.

What you get:• Development of the city’s transportation vision and future

network and infrastructure needs through the Transportation

Master Plan

• Professional and strategic transportation planning advice and

opinion

• Consultation and stakeholder engagement related to

environmental assessments, functional design, development

applications

• Provide technical comment on Development Applications

• Development, promotion and implementation of programs

providing residents with alternative travel and mobility options

Parking Management -$3.89/YearParking management within the City of Burlington.

What you get:• 13 city managed parking lots and downtown public parking

spaces

• Enforcement of parking bylaws to ensure public safety and

efficient traffic flow on Burlington roadways

• Maintain electric vehicle charging station in the Parking Garage

Leisure

Recreation $58.63/Year Recreation programs and services provided by the city and

through more than 85 partnerships for residents.

What you get:• Approximately 700 recreational programs offered

• Over 190 locations available that include arenas, gymnasiums,

meeting rooms, parks and sports fields, picnic areas, pools,

recreation centres, splash pads and wading pools

• Banquet and Social venues including Paletta Mansion, the

Waterfront Centre and LaSalle Pavilion

• A dedicated team that supports marketing and customer

service across the city, including in-person and online service

options for information, registration and permitting of facilities

and parks

22 | 2016 Budget

Organized Sport Support $39.25/YearOpportunities to participate in organized sports.

What you get:• Opportunities are offered through the city’s collaboration

with 22 ice organizations, 71 playfield organizations, 38 gym

organizations and five aquatic organizations

• Space allocation of 11 ice pads, 10 city gyms, one pool, 144

city sports fields, 21 joint venture facilities and 79 school

board gyms as well as 21 school board sports fields through a

partnership with the school boards

• Partnership with sport organizations that sport that is played

in a safe, clean and well maintained venue that meets the

needs and expectations of the sport

Arts and Culture $14.83/YearArts and culture festivals, programs and services delivered by the

city as well as support for community-run festivals.

What you get:• 15 community-led cultural festivals and events on public

property (2014)

• Four city-organized cultural festivals and events (2014)

• 59,000 participants in city-organized cultural festivals and

events (2014)

• 369 registered participants in city-delivered student theatre

program and music classes (2014)

• 68 public art works that beautify the city and create pride and

identity

Design and Build

Community Design and $18.30/Year Development ReviewReview and approval of the various types of development

applications for property owners and developers as per the Ontario

Planning Act.

What you get:• Advises Council, the public and industry professionals by

providing information on development proposals and the city’s

planning functions and procedures

• Provides information about city policies, procedures, facilitation

of preliminary meetings, assistance with applications for

potential development

• 1,179 development applications: 86 minor developments; 126

variances; 16 consents; and 951 zoning certificate applications

processed ( 2014)

• 52 subdivision/condominium/part lot control/site plan/minor

modification applications processed (2014)

• 14 official plan amendment/rezoning applications

processed (2014)


City Services

Facilities and Buildings – $7.77/Year Design and Construction Design, construction and project management services for city-

owned facilities and buildings.

What you get:• Manage the design, performance improvement and

construction of sites and their systems in partnership with

Asset Management Service, Environment & Energy and other

city services that operate facilities and buildings

• Establish and oversee preventive maintenance programs to

optimize reliability and life cycles of facilities, buildings and

their systems

• Establish maintenance service contracts and provide ongoing

contract oversight

Planning Policy $7.21/YearDevelopment, monitoring and review of the Official Plan policy for

the physical development of the city.

What you get:• The city’s long term strategic document (Official Plan) guiding

city growth management, land use and infrastructure decision

making

• Land use studies on a range of matters such as city growth

management, housing, retail areas, office and industrial lands,

environmental areas and heritage

• A voice on land use and growth management issues at the

local, regional and provincial levels that can impact Burlington

property owners

Parks and Open Space – $7.09/Year Design and DevelopmentDesign, construction, asset management and project management

services for parks and open spaces.

What you get:• One major sport field reconstruction (2015)

• Two baseball diamond backstops, line fences and netting

replaced (2015)

• Planning and design for 16 playground replacement projects

(2015)

• One skate park feature renewal (2015)

• 11 public engagement sessions/design open houses (2015)

• Three major master plan and revitalization processes

completed (2015)

• Asset management plan completed and integrated (2015)

Building Code Permit -$12.20/Year and InspectionBuilding permitting and inspections in accordance with the

Building Code Act and the Ontario Building Code.

What you get:• 3,300 building permits issued with a total construction value of

approximately $582 million (estimated 2015)

• 43,000 building inspections conducted as part of the building

permit process (estimated 2015)

24 | 2016 Budget

Customer Relations and Citizen Representation

Council and Citizen Committee $10.07/YearPublic access to and participation in Council decision making,

ensuring open, accountable and transparent local government.

What you get:• Preparation of agendas, reports, minutes, webposting and

correspondence

• Secretariat support to four Standing Committees and Council -

53 meetings (2014)

• Secretariat support to seven citizen advisory committees - 80

meetings (2014)

• Conducted the 2014 Municipal Election in accordance with the

Municipal Elections Act, 1996

Service Burlington $5.65/YearManagement of corporate records and switchboard, as well as

inquiries and payments for areas such as property taxes, parking

tickets, marriage licences and death registration.

What you get:• Processed 3,100 property tax payments, 1,000 commissioner of

oaths and parking ticket payments (estimated 2015)

• Responded to and directed 55,500 phone calls (estimated

2015)

• Processed 70 Freedom of Information requests (estimated

2015)

• Issued 1,800 marriage licenses and death registrations

(estimated 2015)

Funding for Capital Program $340.87/YearWhat you get:• Infrastructure funding for roads, buildings and storm water

system

• Renewal and replacement of our fleet

• Development and renewal of our parks

• Renewal and replacement of technology

Local Boards $153.50/Year and Other AgenciesWhat you get:• Burlington Public Library - one Central Library and seven

Branch Libraries

• Burlington Economic Development Corporation – to attract new

businesses and retain existing ones

• Art Gallery of Burlington - multi-disciplinary visual arts centre

incorporating seven guilds and studios under one roof as well

as auditorium and gallery space

• Burlington Performing Arts Centre - 720 seat main stage, 225

seat studio

• Museums - Ireland House homestead and Joseph Brant Museum

• Tourism Burlington – to promote tourism for the City of

Burlington

• Halton Court Services – administration of provincial court

services and prosecute provincial offence charges on behalf of

the City of Burlington and Towns of Oakville, Milton and Halton

Hills


City Services

Contribution to the $52.87/Year Joseph Brant Hospital Redevelopment ProjectThis contribution signifies your commitment to ensuring that

current and future generations will have access to expanded

hospital services in a state-of-the-art healthcare facility. The

total city contribution of $60 million will be used to help fund the

redevelopment and expansion project.

What you get:Project includes the construction of a new seven-storey patient-

care tower, modern Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit

and significant renovations to the existing space. This will provide

Burlington with improved access to a larger, more modern hospital

and a hospital-wide average of 70 per cent single patient rooms

to meet the highest standards for infection prevention and control

and quality care.

Highlights of the project include:• Additional acute inpatient beds

• Nine modern operating rooms

• Expanded diagnostic services

• A modern post-anesthetic care unit

• Expanded ambulatory care programs

• An expanded Cancer Clinic

• Renovated Special Care Nursery

• Expanded medical, surgical and outpatient services

• A new main entrance

Mayor and Council $16.40/YearCity Council is made up of the Mayor and six Councillors who are

elected at large for a four-year term. Mayor and Council’s primary

role is to ensure the smooth running of the city.

The Mayor is responsible for: • Providing leadership and guidance to Burlington residents and

businesses

• Providing leadership to City Council and chair Council meeting

• Speaking on behalf of the City of Burlington

• Providing, through the City Manger, general direction to city

staff about carrying out policies, programs and other directions

of Council

Council’s responsibility is to: • Consider the interests and well-being of the public and the city

• Establish and update goals and policies

• Determine which services the city provides

• Ensure that the city’s operations are transparent

• Ensure long range financial stability

• Plan for the future needs of the city

• Ensure that the community is aware of the city’s goals,

performance and achievements

• Select the city manager, define his/her duties and

responsibilities and evaluate performance

What you get:• Mayor: Rick Goldring

• Six City Councillors:

Ward 1: Rick Craven

Ward 2: Marianne Meed Ward

Ward 3: John Taylor

Ward 4: Jack Dennison

Ward 5: Paul Sharman

Ward 6: Blair Lancaster

26 | 2016 Budget

Internal Support $189.89/Year and AdministrationThis includes the costs associated with the governance and

administration of our city.

What you get:• Financial management – includes property tax collection,

financial reporting and procurement activities

• Internal audit function

• Legal support – includes preparing contracts and representing

the city before the Ontario Municipal Board and courts

• Internal support services - Human Resources, Information

Technology, Communications and Fleet Management

• Asset management

• Geographic information and mapping

Corporate Expenditures -$4.91/Year and RevenuesWhat you get:• Corporate expenditures include:

Provisions to reserves and reserve funds

Charity, vacancy and heritage property tax rebates

Seniors’ tax rebates

Property tax write-offs

• Corporate revenues include:

Supplementary taxes

Payments-in-lieu of taxes

Earnings on the city’s investments

Federal and provincial grants


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Mayor

Rick Goldring [email protected]

Ward 1 Councillor

Rick Craven [email protected]

Ward 2 Councillor

Marianne Meed Ward [email protected]

Ward 3 Councillor

John Taylor [email protected]

Ward 4 Councillor

Jack Dennison [email protected]

Ward 5 Councillor

Paul Sharman [email protected]

Ward 6 Councillor

Blair Lancaster [email protected]

Burlington City Council

28 | 2016 Budget

Contact Us

Lori Jivan, Acting Coordinator of Budgets and Policy

905-335-7600, ext. 7896

[email protected]

www.burlington.ca/budget

2016 budget* your 2016 municipal tax dollars at work › en › your-city › resources...seller to...

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