HomeMy WebLinkAboutFIN-2025-408 - 2026 Budget Process and TimelinesStaff Report
Financial Services Department www. kitchen er.ca
REPORT TO: Finance and Corporate Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: October 27, 2025
SUBMITTED BY: Ryan Hagey, Director of Financial Planning & Asset Management,
519-904-9347
PREPARED BY: Ryan Hagey, Director of Financial Planning & Asset Management,
519-904-9347
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: October 20, 2025
REPORT NO.: FIN -2025-408
SUBJECT: 2026 Budget Process and Timelines
RECOMMENDATION:
That the 2026 budget timelines outlined in Financial Services Department report FIN -
2025 -408 be approved; and further,
That Council shorten the 30 -day period that Council may pass a resolution making an
amendment to the Mayor's proposed budget to coincide with the completion of the
meeting scheduled on December 11, 2025.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
• The purpose of this report is to approve the process and timelines for the 2026 budget.
• This report supports the delivery of core services.
BACKGROUND:
In 2023, the Province passed the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act and Part V1.1. of the
Municipal Act regarding Special Powers and Duties of the Head of Council. This changed
Kitchener's traditional budget process where staff would propose a budget which would be
presented to and debated by Committee before being approved by Council. The new
process requires the Mayor to propose the budget which would automatically be adopted
after 30 days unless it is amended by Council.
Staff are proposing to use a budget timetable which complies with Strong Mayors legislation,
but still fits within the City's traditional budget calendar and sees Kitchener's budget passed
before the end of the year.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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REPORT:
The Council & Committee meeting calendar includes meetings scheduled for November and
December to discuss the budget. The budget timelines are consistent with Mayoral
Direction 2023-DIR-001 which directs staff to:
• Prepare a draft budget for the Mayor & Council's consideration
• Make the budget publicly available on the City's website
• Provide summary presentations that highlight the key elements of the budget
• Consider ways to encourage public input/participation
• Convene a meeting where the Mayor, in conjunction with the Chair of the Finance
and Corporate Services Committee will propose the budget; and
• Convene meetings of Council to consider the budget allow for any amendments to
be considered.
2025 Budaet Timelines
* In order to achieve the timelines noted in the table, Council needs to agree to shorten the
30 -day period for amendments. For further clarity, a graphical representation of the budget
process under Strong Mayors is also included as an attachment to this report.
Council also need to amend its meeting calendar to combine operating and capital budget
presentations onto the same day instead of having them on November 24 & 25.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports the delivery of core services.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no financial implications of this report as the proposed timelines will see the
budget approved in the planned timeframe, before the end of the calendar year.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance of
the council / committee meeting.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
• Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act 2022 and Part V1.1. of the Municipal Act
APPROVED BY: Jonathan Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A — Budget Process Under Strong Mayor Legislation
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