Mayor Siscoe Releases Proposed 2025-26 Budget with 2.71% Tax Levy Increase

October 28, 2024 – Mayor Mat Siscoe has released his 2025-26 Multi-Year Budget for readoption, which proposes a 2.71% City tax levy increase for 2025, starting the 30-day amendment period for Council under the Strong Mayor legislation. The amendment period allows City Council the opportunity to make amendments to the budget and propose service level changes that could further impact the City portion of the levy.

The readoption budget makes several changes to what was approved in 2024, in addition to the staff proposed changes presented on October 23rd. In addition to Council requested changes to the budget passed during the year, the Mayor has included an Accessibility Coordinator position in response to requests from the Accessibility Committee. The Mayor's budget, if approved with no amendments, will lead to an increase to the average city tax bill by $47.10.

“We have worked hard to keep taxpayer affordability at the forefront of what we’re doing. This budget does that by keeping the increase to the City's portion of the tax levy at 2.71%, and it includes enhancements to City services with increased clean-ups in Fairview and John Page Park and an Accessibility Coordinator. My budget also avoids the temptation of blowing through reserves – reserves that have helped us weather several storms over the last few years and need to be maintained. In those areas where we are spending more, residents have told us they want enhanced infrastructure and properly maintained facilities; finding ways to spend more money without showing clear service improvements should not be on the table.”

Highlights of the Mayor’s budget include:

• $123,000 operating investment to fund the return of a full-time permanent Accessibility Coordinator staff position to ensure the implementation of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is at the forefront of all municipal decision making, ensuring that our City is one that is fully accessible and livable for all;
• $900,000 capital investment in 2025 for eight dedicated pickleball courts to be installed in Burgoyne Woods. In response to the public’s growing interest in pickleball, the need for dedicated outdoor pickleball courts has been strongly expressed by the community;
• $1,100,000 capital investment in 2025 for improvements to George Taylor Field. These upgrades will not only extend the service life and playability of the field but will also potentially attract higher-level baseball teams that will also look to use the field.

To learn more, visit www.stcatharines.ca/mayorsbudgetreports.