Oakville Mayor proposes 4.38 per cent tax increase for 2024 Budget

Public delegations will be heard on November 28

Following many weeks of public input and staff presentations, Oakville Mayor Rob Burton presented the Proposed 2024 Budget with a 4.38 per cent tax increase to create environmental, social and economic sustainability. 

The Mayor’s proposed budget, which was tabled at the November 20 Council meeting, put forward a 4.38 per cent tax increase, which is below the increase recommended by the Budget Committee and is expected to be the lowest increase when compared to neighbouring municipal budget discussions that are underway.

A 4.38 per cent tax increase, if adopted by Council, would see residential property taxes increase by $33.30 per $100,000 of assessment, meaning that the owner of a home assessed at $800,000 would pay an additional $266.40 per year or $5.12 per week. 

Get involved

The proposed budget is available for public feedback. Input can be provided by delegating at the Special Council meeting on November 28 by emailing townclerk@oakville.ca by noon on that day. Public feedback can also be provided by emailing mayor@oakville.ca, the respective Councillors or the town at budget@oakville.ca before December 20. A Special Council meeting will be held on December 20 for Council to consider any amendments to the budget. 

Visit the 2024 Budget page for more information, including departmental presentations.

Key investments

The town’s proposed 2024 Operating Budget supports the delivery of a wide range of programs and services, including maintenance of roads and community facilities, fire services, transit, parks and trails, recreation and culture, seniors services, libraries, and others. The proposed 2024 Capital Budget supports infrastructure renewal, growth, and program initiatives. Some of the draft capital projects include:  

• $22.8 million for new parks, parkettes and trails, and to rehabilitate and renew existing parks  
• $21.5 million for parkland acquisition for future park development 
• $18.9 million for transit electric vehicles and charging infrastructure 
• $14.1 million for construction of the permanent Fire Station 9 in North Oakville
• $9 million for the road resurfacing and preservation program 
• $6.2 million for traffic management, traffic signal program, traffic calming and road safety program to promote safe travel and pedestrian safety on town roads 
• $5.4 million for Downtown Cultural Hub 
• $5.1 million for land for the design and construction of a snow storage facility
• $5 million for land purchase for a future Trafalgar corridor north library

Background

• As a result of Bill 3, Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, the town’s budget process and timeline have changed from previous years. The new process assigns duties and powers to the Mayor to propose and adopt the town’s budget. Refer to the budget decision flowchart (pdf) for more information. 
• On October 17, 2023, staff’s initial draft budget recommended a 4.28 per cent increase to overall property taxes, including regional and education services. 
• Based on Halton Regional Police budget’s significant increase of 9.5 per cent, Oakville’s overall property tax increase was updated to be estimated at 4.8 per cent. 
• On November 2, Budget Committee recommended to the Mayor that the tax increase not exceed 4.5 per cent.

Quote

"The proposed budget, if approved, take us from a 4.8 per cent increase to a 4.38 per cent tax increase, well below any of our neighbouring cities. The proposed budget effectively addresses financial challenges by strategically investing in initiatives that promote environmental, social, and economic sustainability within our community. I look forward to continuing to work with Council and the public to ensure a budget that truly serves the best interests of Oakville’s livability and vibrancy.”

- Mayor Rob Burton