Mayor B. Vrbanovic addressed the changes to the city budget required by provincial legislation, highlighted the budget process undertaken to date, and acknowledged the work of the Finance and Corporate Services Committee and Chair, Corporate Leadership Team and city staff on presenting a budget that takes into consideration growth, and economic pressures while balancing affordability and operational service delivery needs.
The 2025 proposed budget includes a tax rate increase of 3.9%, amounting to an annual increase of $49. for the average home. Mayor B. Vrbanovic reported that Kitchener's tax rate increases over the past 10 years have averaged below inflation as a testament to an efficient, effective and sustainable approach to budgeting.
Councillor M. Johnston returned to the meeting at this time.
Councillor M. Johnston declared a conflict on page C32 of the capital budget as her property is contained within the list of full Engineering Reconstruction projects, and accordingly she did not participate in any voting or discussion on the matter.
Due to the previously declared conflicts by Councillor P. Singh, Councillor S. Stretch and Councillor M. Johnston, the items in the budget related to the Library Board and specific capital projects noted above, were then voted on and were Carried.
The balance of the budget was then voted and was Carried on a recorded vote.