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 What are the key elements of the City of Brampton’s 2013 budget? | The City of Brampton’s 2013 current operational budget is $491 million and its capital budget is $246 million. In developing this budget, a number of basic principles were established, including:
- Maintaining priority service levels
- Ensuring continued value-for-money in the provision of all City services
- Targeting limited capital funds to support managed development
- Continuing to address the infrastructure deficit
- Laying the foundation for the planned community engagement and strategic plan process to review priorities that will provide direction for future budgets.
| | What will the 2013 budget address? | Through this budget, the City will maintain:
- 3,250 lane kilometres of roads;
- 2,750 hectares of parkland (including sports fields, playgrounds, boulevards, buffers, pathways and trails, flowers and shrub beds);
- 266 conventional and 61 Züm transit buses;
- 74 Corporate buildings (including offices, parks, transit, works, and libraries);
- 66 Recreation and community facilities (including arenas, pools, theatres; and 14 fire stations).
| | What additional services does this budget support? | In addition to maintaining existing service levels, additional funds have been allocated in the 2013 Budget to address Council priorities such as enhancing transit services, providing recreational opportunities and ensuring community safety. To that end, the following service improvements were identified:
- Enhance bus rapid transit - Züm service delivery
- Improve recreation and library facilities - Gore Meadows Community Centre
- Ensure public safety - Fire Station 211 in Brampton East
- Promote healthy lifestyle - new parks and pathways
- Manage growth - target roads program in key areas
| | What impact will this budget have on a homeowner? | Based on the Region of Peel’s approved 0.5% tax increase and assuming no change in the Education tax, the total property tax bill for a Brampton resident would increase by 2.5% (same as 2012). This combined impact is in line with the current rate of inflation as measured by the City of Brampton’s Municipal Price Index of 2.6%.
There are three components (Region, City and Education) to the overall property tax bill, of which the City of Brampton’s portion is 42%. For 2013, the City requires a tax increase of 4.9%, which translates into a 2.0% increase on the total tax bill. This works out to an approximate $79 tax increase on the City portion of a 2013 average property with an assessed value of $347,000 (2012: $330,000).
The 4.9% provides for a 3.9% budgetary increase for the continued maintenance of existing service levels and an additional 1% levy dedicated to addressing the City’s infrastructure deficit.
| | Has any money in this budget been dedicated to Peel Memorial Hospital? | A Reserve Fund was established in March 2010, when Brampton City Council committed up to $60 million toward the community portion of the suggested $420 million cost to re-develop the hospital site. This commitment is dependent on the provincial government making its own funding commitment to the hospital project. In the 2012 Budget, Council set aside $1 million for this initiative.
Since initial payment for the Peel Memorial Hospital Redevelopment is not required until 2016, no additional contribution to this Reserve Fund has been approved in the 2013 Budget at this time. The Mayor will host a Town Hall in the New Year to share options for a funding strategy with the public. There will also be opportunities for the public to submit feedback to Council via other communication channels. Council will then decide on a funding strategy. Funds accumulated to date in this Reserve Fund will remain available for this initiative and will comprise a portion of the recommended funding strategy. | | Was there any public input in the preparation of this budget? | Throughout the year, Councillors heard from their constituents on what the City’s priorities should be for 2013. Residents had the opportunity to provide feedback on the City’s proposed 2013 Budget during budget deliberations from December 12 to 19. Residents will also be able to participate in the planned community engagement and strategic plan process along with the Mayor’s Town Hall on the funding strategy for the redevelopment of Peel Memorial Hospital to review priorities that will provide the direction for future budgets. |
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| What are the key elements of the City of Brampton’s 2012 budget? | The City of Brampton’s 2012 current operational budget is $454 million and its capital budget is $191 million. In developing this budget, a number of basic principles were established, including:
- Maintaining priority service levels
- Ensuring continued value for money in the provision of all City services
- Targeting limited capital funds to support managed development
- Continue addressing the infrastructure deficit
- Setting the foundation for a sustainable long term (operating and capital) funding strategy
- Continue insulating taxpayers to the extent possible
| | What services will the 2012 budget provide? | Through this budget, the City will maintain 3,220 lane kilometers of roads, 5,076 acres of parkland (including sports fields, playgrounds, boulevards and buffers, pathways and trails, flowers and shrub beds), 73 corporate buildings, 67 recreation and community facilities (including arenas, pools, theatres), and 15 fire stations.
| | What additional services does this budget support? | In addition to maintaining existing service levels, additional funds have been allocated in the 2012 Budget to address Council priorities such as enhancing transit services, providing recreational opportunities and ensuring community safety. To that end, the following service improvements were identified:
Enhance bus rapid transit - Züm service delivery
Improve recreation and library facilities - Bram East for 2012 opening
Promote healthy lifestyle – new parks and pathways
Manage growth – target roads program in key areas
Phase-in SWQ annual costs - in accordance with Council-approved plan
Contribution of $1 million to a Special Reserve for the future redevelopment of Peel Memorial Hospital
| | How will this budget insulate taxpayers considering the continuing economic uncertainty? | The City has curtailed spending where possible and deferred implementing new programs, including:
Using reserves and gas tax revenues to maintain targeted capital spending
Targeting available dollars to immediate priorities
Continuing to limit staffing increases in spite of pressures accumulated over the last 3-4 years
| | What impact will this budget have on a homeowner? | Based on the Region of Peel’s approved 1.3% tax increase and assuming no change in the Education tax, the total property tax bill for a Brampton resident would increase by 2.5% (down from 2.6% in 2011) and well within the current rate of inflation of 2.9 %.
There are three components (Region, City and Education) to this overall property tax bill, of which the City of Brampton’s portion is 41%. For 2012, the City requires a tax increase of 4.9% which translates into a 2.0% increase on the total tax bill. This works out to an approximate $75 tax increase on the City portion of an average residential household whose property is assessed at $330,000 (2011: $320,000).
The 4.9% provides for a 3.9% budgetary increase for the continued maintenance of existing service levels and an additional 1% levy dedicated to addressing the City’s infrastructure deficit., $1 million has also been set aside in a special reserve for the redevelopment of Peel Memorial Hospital.
| | Has any money in this budget been dedicated to Peel Memorial Hospital? | Council has set aside $1 million in a Special Reserve for the redevelopment of Peel Memorial Hospital. The reserve fund was established in March 2010, when Brampton City Council committed up to $60 million toward the community portion of the suggested $420 million cost to re-develop the hospital site. This commitment is dependent on the provincial government making its own funding commitment to the hospital project.
| | Was there any public input in the preparation of this budget? | Throughout the year, Councillors heard from their constituents on what the City’s priorities should be for 2012. Residents had the opportunity to provide feedback on the City’s proposed 2012 Budget during budget deliberations from December 5th to 7th. Residents will also be able to attend public engagement sessions in 2012 that will set the stage for longer-term strategic planning for the City.
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| What are the key elements of the City of Brampton’s 2011 budget? | The City’s 2011 current operational budget is $429.5 million and its capital budget is $215.7 million. In developing this budget, a number of basic principles were established, including:
Maintaining priority service levels
Ensuring continued value for money in the provision of all City services
Targeting limited capital funds to support managed development
Phased service expansion for transit and implementing a modest transit fare increase
Leveraging Federal Gas Tax revenues
Addressing the infrastructure deficit
Setting the foundation for a sustainable capital funding strategy
The 2011 capital budget has been constrained to mitigate taxpayer impact. This means the City will continue to do more with less and defer spending to later years where possible.
The City of Brampton has already begun preparations for the 2012 Budget, which will align with the development of a new Strategic Plan for the City. Citizen feedback will be a component of the strategic planning process.
| | How will this budget insulate taxpayers considering the continuing economic uncertainty? | The City has curtailed spending where possible and deferred implementing new programs, including:
Limiting staff salary increases to cost of living
Hiring essential staff only to meet new service demands (e.g. phased expansion of transit)
Absorbing the cost of inflation and HST on goods and services
Reducing administrative expenditures (e.g. only essential travel and training)
Deferring capital maintenance
| | What will the 2011 budget address? | Through this budget, the City will maintain 3,180 lane kilometers of roads, 4,977 acres of parkland (including sports fields, playgrounds, boulevards and buffers, pathways and trails, flowers and shrub beds), 73 corporate buildings, 67 recreation and community facilities (including arenas, pools, theatres), and 12 fire stations.
| | What additional priorities does this budget support? | Through this budget, the City will maintain 3,180 lane kilometers of roads, 4,977 acres of parkland (including sports fields, playgrounds, boulevards and buffers, pathways and trails, flowers and shrub beds), 73 corporate buildings, 67 recreation and community facilities (including arenas,
In addition to maintaining existing service levels, additional funds have been allocated in the 2011 Budget to address public priorities such as enhancing transit services, providing recreational opportunities and ensuring community safety. To that end, the following service improvements were identified:
Expanding Züm service along Main Street
Constructing and establishing the Mount Pleasant library and facilities
Maintaining and repairing corporate and recreation facilities, roads, and new parks development
Providing for an Integrity Commissioner as part of the City’s commitment to Open, Transparent and Accountable Government
Implementing the Creative Economy plan, focused on the heritage, arts, culture and entertainment (HACE) sector
Pursuing international business development opportunities
Reducing Seniors transit fare (Ride for a ‘Loonie’)
Pledging funds to Peel Memorial Hospital redevelopment
Putting in place a 1% levy dedicated to replacing aging infrastructure pools, theatres), and 12 fire stations.
| | What impact will this budget have on a homeowner? | There are three components (Region, City and Education) to the overall property tax bill, of which the City of Brampton’s portion is 40%. For 2011, the City requires a tax increase of 4.1% which translates into a 1.6% increase on the total tax bill. This works out to an approximate $61 tax increase on the City portion of an average residential assessment of $320,000.
Based on the Region of Peel’s 2.5% tax increase and assuming no change in the Education tax, the overall property tax bill for a Brampton resident would increase by 2.6%.
In the current environment, 4.1% provides for a 3.1% budgetary increase for the continued maintenance of existing service levels and the cost of operating previously approved capital facilities and programs, along with a 1% levy dedicated to addressing the City’s projected infrastructure deficit of $357 million.
| | Was there any public input in the preparation of this budget? | During the election, Councillors heard from their constituents on what the City’s priorities should be for 2011. Residents also had the opportunity to provide feedback on the City’s proposed 2011 Budget during budget deliberations from February 14 to 16 as well as at a Public Information Session on Tuesday, February 22, prior to City Council’s final approval.
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| What are the key elements of the City of Brampton’s 2010 budget? | In 2010, the City’s 2010 current budget is $408.2 million with a capital budget of $241.4 million. Starting early in 2009, City Council has established parameters and objectives for the 2010 budget process, including:
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stimulating the local economy and labour market
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targeting scarce resources to meet immediate priorities
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insulating taxpayers as much as possible, from the economic pressures the City faces
Challenged with an economic climate that is impacting the City’s revenue stream, the approved budget focuses on continuing to fund core programs and services to meet the expectations of residents while deferring spending, where possible, to future years. Prudent use of the City’s reserve funds has also helped to cushion the effects of the economic downturn for this transition year. By deferring some spending needs, the budget increase has been held to less than half the rate approved last year
| | What will the 2010 budget address? | In addition to maintaining existing service levels, additional funds have been allocated to address public priorities such as enhancing transit services, providing recreational opportunities and ensuring community safety. To that end, the following 2010 Budget priority list was developed:
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construction of Fire Station 212 in southwest Brampton
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implementation of the Züm bus rapid transit system
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planning and design of new Works Yards
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widening and construction of City roads
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improvements for Parks and Recreation
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improvements to customer service – launch of City web portal
| | How will the 2010 budget stimulate the local economy and labour market? | The City will leverage Federal/Provincial stimulus funded projects, as well as the ongoing Züm bus rapid transit work along the Queen Street Corridor, to encourage local construction activity and related industries.
The Development Charge incentives and discounts previously approved by Council will also assist in providing stimulus to the local economy and labour market
| | What impact will this budget have on a homeowner? | There are three components (Region, City and Education) to the overall tax bill of which the City of Brampton’s portion is 40%. For 2010, the City requires a budget increase of 2.9% over 2009 levels to meet its operating and capital commitments. This means that, based on the City’s share of the overall tax bill, the City of Brampton is increasing taxes by 1.1%. This translates into an approximate $42 tax increase on an average residence assessed at $310,000.
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| What are the key elements of the City of Brampton’s 2009 budget? | The total gross expenditure for the 2009 budget is $400.8 million. Throughout the year, City Council has established parameters for the 2009 Budget Process.
These include:
• Insulating taxpayers to the extent possible from the economic downturn that is impacting all levels of government;
• Focusing funding on programs and services that meet the expectations of residents; and
• Ensuring value for money in the provision of all City services.In October, Council confirmed its service levels and program priorities anddirected staff to:
• Remain focused on achieving Council goals and priorities;
• Acknowledge taxpayers’ concerns by insulating them as much as possible from cyclical economic impacts;
• Be vigilant in managing controllable costs and discretionary spending; and
• Ensure building blocks are in place for the future.
Challenged with an economic downturn and rising costs, the City of Brampton’s 2009 budget will maintain current levels for core services, meet taxpayers’ expectation of value for money, and continue with infrastructure repair and renewal. | | What will the 2009 budget address? | Through this budget, the City will maintain 3,100 lane kilometres of roads, 4,149 acres of parkland (including sportsfields, playgrounds, boulevards and buffers, pathways and trails, flowers and shrub beds), 138 facilities, 11 fire stations, implementing enhanced transit service bringing 28 new buses into service, and enhanced winter snow clearing/snow removal services. | | What additional priorities does this budget support? | In addition to maintaining existing service levels, additional funds have been allocated to address public priorities such as preserving heritage; ensuring community safety; stimulating the local economy; and providing for enhancements to winter snow removal and transit services. To that end, the following 2009 Budget priority list was developed:
• Library initiatives – BramEast and BramWest
• Preserve historic Alderlea
• Downtown Revitalization (sidewalk, intersections, streetscape improvements, etc)
• New Chinguacousy Rd/Queen St. Community Park (outdoor programs)
• Completion of Cassie Campbell and Century Garden (outdoor facilities)
• Fire Training Tower Replacement
• Bus replacements and refurbishments
• Works Yards – planning and land acquisition
• Fleet replacement
• Completion of FCCC core infrastructure and servicing
• Additional Parks and Recreation improvements | | What impact will this budget have on a homeowner? | The total gross expenditure for the 2009 budget is $400.8 million. There arethree components (Region, City and Education) to the overall tax bill of which the City of Brampton’s portion is 38.9%. For 2009, the City requires a budget increase of approximately 6.4% over 2008 levels to meet its operating and capital commitments. This means that, based on our percentage of the overall tax bill (38.9%), the City of Brampton is increasing taxes by approximately 2.5% - which translates into approximately $88 for an average house valued at $288,000. Therefore, combined with the proposed Regional tax rate of 1.7%, property taxes for a Brampton resident will increase a total of 4.2%, subject to any additional adjustments related to the education tax rate. | | Where has infrastructure funding been allocated? | The City of Brampton received one-time funding from Investing in Ontario of $16.2 million for infrastructure repair and renewal. This will allow Brampton to redirect our scarce resources to other Council priorities for 2009. |
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| What is the City of Brampton recommending in this year’s budget? | Through its 2008 Budget, the City of Brampton is meeting its financial responsibilities. The focus is to stay on course with prudent fiscal management -- which earned the City a Triple ‘A’ credit rating in 2007 – and by setting priorities and identifying what we can afford.
The City of Brampton is Canada’s second fastest growing city, yet it also faces an aging infrastructure, has limited sources of revenue and must deal with inadequate support from the Federal and Provincial governments.
This year’s budget will help:
• maintain current service levels
• accommodate growth
• allow for modest, incremental service improvements
• address our infrastructure requirements
The City of Brampton’s budget process began in September 2007 when City Council set its service and program priorities. The approved 2008 budget reflects Council’s direction.
There are three components (Region, City and Education) to the overall tax bill of which the City of Brampton’s portion is 38%. In 2008, the City requires a budget increase of approximately 6.5% to meet its operating and capital commitments compared to 2007.
This means that, based on our percentage of the overall tax bill (38%), the City of Brampton is increasing taxes by approximately 2.4%, which translates into approximately $83 for an average house valued at $288,000. Therefore combined with the Regional share of 1.7%, property taxes for a Brampton resident will increase a total of 4.1%.
This budget enables the City to take steps to steadily address our infrastructure requirements, such as rehabilitation and repair; however, this is just a first step and in no way resolves the historical problem. It would also enable the City of Brampton to continue achieving growth in a responsible and environmentally sensitive way.
The City will continue its advocacy for realignment on municipal costs and revenues with the senior levels of government. | | What priorities does this budget support? | The budget priorities for 2008 balance the need to steadily and responsibly upgrade infrastructure and provide quality service to citizens.
Priority highlights include:
Transit - This includes a seven per cent increase in service, 33 new buses, 45 shelters and new technology such as on-board bus cameras, and the opening of the new Sandalwood Facility.
Infrastructure – This includes road resurfacing for 65 streets, bridge rehabilitation, nine new road construction projects and traffic safety and operations growth.
Parks and Recreation – Projects for 2008 include the completion of Garden Square at the Rose Theatre Brampton, new developments at several community campuses, new neighbourhood parks and pathways, the reopening of Century Gardens Recreation Centre, the new Cassie Campbell Community Centre and a new skateboard park.
Community Services (Fire): breaking ground to build a fire station and headquarters and expand another station. | | What impact will this budget have on a homeowner? | There are three components (Region, City and Education) to the overall tax bill of which the City of Brampton’s portion is 38%. In 2008, the City requires a budget increase of approximately 6.5% to meet its operating and capital commitments compared to 2007.
This means that, based on our percentage of the overall tax bill (38%), the City of Brampton is increasing taxes by approximately 2.4%, which translates into approximately $83 for an average house valued at $288,000. Therefore combined with the Regional share of 1.7%, property taxes for a Brampton resident will increase a total of 4.1%. | | In the fall of 2007, mention was made of introducing a special levy. Why isn’t a levy now being recommended? | The recommended budget reflects the City’s approach of dedicating two per cent towards addressing the infrastructure deficit. This increase is a first step, and in no way resolves the historical problem. What it does do is build into the City’s budget a means to dedicate resources to steadily and responsibly deal with our infrastructure requirements, such as rehabilitation and repair, for this year and in the years ahead. | | What infrastructure needs will the 2008 budget address? | The City of Brampton has 2850 kilometres of road, 4,088 acres of parkland, 85 recreation and other specialized facilities such as ice rinks, pools, indoor soccer centre, 11 fire stations, and much more, to maintain.
Two per cent of this year’s budget is expected to generate approximately $4.2 million dollars for infrastructure. This money will be used for:
Community facilities and parks $ 1.7M
Road resurfacing 1.7M
Accessibility improvements to facilities 0.3M
Improvements to Corporate buildings 0.45M | | The federal government just announced a $95 million commitment to Brampton Transit. Can this money be used for infrastructure needs or purchasing new buses? | The recent $95 million commitment from the Federal Government is to be applied to the AcceleRide Bus Rapid Transit Project only, which is yet another strategy to help support growing ridership needs and provide a viable alternative to the car. |
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