Confusing jargon used by City Hall in determining tax rates
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The Burlington City Council has taken the first step in the annual budget process with the approval of the 2026 Financial Forecast report on July 15, 2025. This preliminary report offers a glimpse into the economic pressures and service needs for the upcoming city budget.
The significant percentage change in the 2026 Budget Change column is 5.80%, according to the report. However, the 4.49% at the bottom of the same column has been deemed "mathematical rubbish" by some, adding to the controversy surrounding the budget process.
The budget is set to fund essential services such as safe streets, reliable transit, resilient infrastructure, welcoming parks, flood protection, and swift emergency response. Yet, there is no clear information available on who will be responsible for the financial management of the city of Burlington in 2026.
Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan has been discussing the upcoming City Budget for 2026. Allegations have been made that the Burlington Finance department is manipulating budget numbers, though these are unconfirmed. The focus of the Council's approval, however, has been on limiting tax impacts for residents.
Despite hopes for a less than 3% increase, this is considered unlikely. The way budget information is communicated by Burlington Finance people has also been criticised for containing confusing language.
The impact of the budget is not a unit of measure, as it affects each person differently based on their circumstances. The 2026 Financial Forecast report (FIN-24-25) marks the beginning of work on the 2026 budget, with the hope that it will lead to better financial stewardship for the residents of Burlington.
