Welland Council concludes 2025 budget amendment discussions

Welland City Council has concluded the second of two amendment meetings for the 2025 budget, marking an important step in the budgetary process. These meetings, held on November 20 and 27, 2024, provided Council members with the opportunity to table amendments to the Mayor’s 2025 proposed budget, fostering robust debate and active participation from all members.

The Mayor’s 2025 proposed budget, tabled on November 4, 2024, emphasized maintaining existing service levels while prioritizing the repair and renewal of the City’s assets. Initially, the proposed budget projected a tax rate increase of 3.54 per cent.

During the amendment meetings, Council members submitted 36 amendments, which were supported by City staff through detailed financial analyses, tax levy impact projections, business cases, and assessments of service level implications. After thorough deliberation, several amendments have advanced to the final stage for approval on December 4, 2024.

List of amendments advancing to the final stage:

• 2025 Tax Supported Operating & Capital Budget Amendments

As of now, inclusive of the proposed amendments, the projected tax levy increase stands at 3.95 per cent. The fixed cost for Water will remain at 33 per cent, and the Wastewater fixed cost is increasing from 33 per cent to 37 per cent.

The estimated household impact of a municipal tax levy on a single family detached residential property with an average assessment of $232,000 is $72.78.

Once Council concludes on December 4, the 2025 budget will automatically be adopted after a 30-day period unless a veto is exercised. The Mayor retains the option to veto the budget within a 10-day period at the conclusion of the meeting on December 4. Should a veto occur, a two-thirds majority vote from Council will be required to proceed.