HomeMy WebLinkAboutFIN-2023-035 - 2023 Operating BudgetFinancial Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Finance and Corporate Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: January 16, 2023
SUBMITTED BY: Ryan Hagey, Director of Financial Planning & Reporting, 519-741-2200
ext. 7353
PREPARED BY: Ryan Hagey, Director of Financial Planning & Reporting, 519-741-2200
ext. 7353
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All Wards
DATE OF REPORT: January 4, 2023
REPORT NO.: FIN-2023-035
SUBJECT: 2023 Operating Budget
RECOMMENDATION:
For discussion.
Note: Final approval of the 2023 Operating Budget will take place as part of Final Budget Day,
scheduled for February 2, 2023.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
The proposed tax rate increase of 4.8% is an impact of $56 to the average household and
is well below the current rate of inflation (7.0%).
The water utilities (water, sanitary, stormwater) rate increase of 4.5% approved by Council
on December 12, 2022 is an impact of $42 to the average household.
Community engagement included Public Budget Night (January 9) and an online survey
(closes January 17).
This report supports the delivery of core services.
BACKGROUND:
day-to-day costs of providing the valued public
programs and services citizens use every day. Examples include recreational programming at
and maintaining roads in a condition they are safe to drive on all seasons of the year.
REPORT:
The 2023 budget materials have been posted on the website (kitchener.ca/budget) since
early December and includes the following components:
Proposed Budget Summary
Appendix A - Operating Budget
Appendix B - Capital Budget
Appendix C - Issue Papers
Appendix D - Reserve and Reserve Funds
Appendix E - User Fee Schedule
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports the delivery of core services.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The proposed tax rate increase of 4.8% is an impact of $56. The water utilities (water, sanitary,
stormwater) rate increase of 4.5% approved by Council on December 12 is an impact of $42.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM
council / committee meeting.
CONSULT Citizens have an opportunity to provide input about priority areas of the budget
through a number of processes. Their input comes through public consultation efforts for the
Strategic Plan, comprehensive master plans (e.g. Leisure Facilities Master Plan), strategies (e.g.
Urban Forestry Strategy, Customer Service Strategy), or specific issues (e.g. City Hall Outdoor
Spaces). As part of those processes, staff consider the feedback received from the public as
they make their recommendations and share it with Council when those recommendations are
presented for approval. The budget is the process whereby Council affirms approved priorities
and allocates funds to bring these concepts into reality.
In addition to the opportunities for input on specific topics, staff continue to use multiple methods
to effectively inform and consult citizens about the budget at large. Staff have proactively
provided , and have
prepared videos explaining several budget/finance topics to better inform residents. Citizens
have been encouraged to provide their input into the budget process by:
Attending a public input sessions on January 9
Completing the online budget survey on Engage Kitchener (closes January 17)
Contacting their ward councillor
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
FIN-2022-482 2023 User Fees
FIN-2022-188 2023 Water Utilities Rates
INS-2022-486 2023 Natural Gas Rates
APPROVED BY: Jonathan Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services