Burlington mayor talks proposed 2022 budget, snow-clearing plan

The mayor of Burlington says she intends to put forward a motion next week to reduce the proposed tax increase.

This announcement comes after seniors and low-income residents voiced their concerns about the tax hike in a virtual budget town hall Monday night. 

“Any increase in taxes is a challenge for them as we continue to face the impacts of the pandemic and some people having lost their jobs through that period,” said Marianne Meed Ward in an interview on Morning Live.

When combined with the estimated regional and educational taxes, the overall projected tax increase for a Burlington homeowner in 2022 is 3.18 per cent or $24.76 per $100,000 of assessment. 

For example, homeowners with a home assessed at $500,000 would pay an additional $123.80 per year or $2.38 per week. 

Included in the 3.18 per cent projected overall tax impact is a 5.45 per cent increase to the City’s portion of the tax bill.

The proposed 2022 budget will be reviewed by the city council at a meeting on Nov. 30 and Dec. 2.

Also on the budget town hall agenda, Ward said snow clearing in the city was discussed.

She said that the City is prepared for the winter and has a plan for plowing the snow.

Plows will clear primary and secondary roads when accumulation of 5 cm is reached. 

When accumulation reaches 7.5 cm, the City will declare a “Snow Event” and road clearing updates will be sent to Snow Control Update subscribers at 9 a.m., 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. 

To receive Snow Control Updates by email, visit Burlington.ca/enews to subscribe.