Oakville Mayor proposes 4.84 per cent tax increase for 2025 Budget

Public delegations will be heard on December 12

Mayor Rob Burton is proposing adoption of a 2025 budget that conforms to the recommendation of the entire Council sitting as the Budget Committee. In his comments to Council last night, Mayor Burton noted that the budget keeps up with growth and preserves valued town services. The proposed overall property tax increase is significantly lower than all neighbouring municipalities. 

Following many weeks of public input and staff presentations, at Thursday’s Special Council Meeting Mayor Burton presented his Proposed 2025 Budget with a 4.84 per cent overall tax increase to create environmental, social, and economic sustainability in a vibrant, inclusive and livable community. 

The Mayor’s proposed budget specifies a 6 per cent tax increase for town services, a 5.99 per cent tax increase for regional services and no change for education. In combination, these increases raise the total Oakville property tax levy by 4.84 per cent. If adopted at the December 19, 2024 Special Council Meeting, residential property taxes will increase by $38.53 per $100,000 of assessment, meaning that the owner of an average home assessed at $800,000 would pay an additional $308.24 per year or $5.93 per week. 

The Mayor noted that on December 11, 2024, Halton Region will be considering a motion to increase funding to add 12 additional police officers above the request of the Halton Police Board. This would move the Region’s expected tax increase for regional and police services from 5.99 per cent to 6.18 per cent. If Regional Council approves the motion for more officers, the estimated total tax increase for property taxpayers in Oakville would be 4.91 per cent.

The proposed budget is available for additional public feedback. Input can be provided by delegating at the Special Council meeting on December 12 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. 

A Special Council meeting will be held on December 19 at 6:30 p.m. for Council to consider any amendments and approve the budget.  

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

Highlights of Proposed Budget  

The Proposed 2025 Budget supports continued delivery of valued town programs and services, and maintains roads, community centres, transit, parks, and other amenities at sustainable levels. 

Some of the key expenditures and investments in this budget include:

Growth Management 

$12.5 million for the renovation and expansion of Fire Station 4

$9.8 million for Transit vehicle expansion

$6.2 million for road resurfacing and preservation

$4.4 million for North Service Road widening

$4.2 million for Burloak Drive grade separation

$3.1 million for traffic management and traffic signal programs

$1.2 million for Bridge Road widening and bridge rehabilitation

$60,000 for an enhanced Heritage Grant Program 

Community Belonging

$17.7 million for replacement and major refurbishment of Transit vehicles

$7.2 million for parking lot, driveway, and facility-related maintenance and improvements

$5.7 million for River Oaks Community Centre Ice Rink “A” replacement

$3.2 million in traffic calming and road safety

$1.4 million for Falgarwood Pool rehabilitation

$85,000 to fund Free Care-a-Van transit service for persons with disabilities, beginning Spring 2025

Environmental Sustainability

$14.9 million for new parks, parkettes, trails, and renewal of existing parks 

$4.4 million for electric bus charging infrastructure

$4.3 million to protect and grow the tree canopy and natural environment

$4.3 million for the rehabilitation of Towne Square 

$1.7 million for St. Jude’s cemetery culvert replacement

Accountable Government

$600,000 in efficiencies to be created over the next two years

Continuation of a multi-year security review of town facilities, a strategy for land acquisition and disposition, and a stormwater funding feasibility study

Quotes

“By prioritizing fiscal responsibility, operational efficiency, and enhanced livability, Oakville is well-prepared to face both future challenges and opportunities. We’re proud of keeping tax increases in line with inflation on average over 18 years.” 

– Mayor Rob Burton

"We thank our community for coming forward with their questions and suggestions to improve the clarity and content of the budget proposal. In this final phase of consultation, we invite further public review of the proposed budget to uphold Oakville’s livability, vibrancy, and sustainability.” 

– Town Councillor Marc Grant, 2025 Budget Committee Chair

“The proposed property taxes are appropriate given the high inflation we have been through. Our capital budget invests over $200 million to build and maintain our community. Our residents really appreciate how good it looks and feels to be in Oakville.” 

– Town and Regional Councillor Tom Adams, 2025 Budget Committee Vice Chair