Niagara Regional Council Passes 2023 Budget

Monday, 27 February 2023 17:43

By Linda Morgan

Council greenlights seven percent increase on the regional portion of property tax bills

Niagara Regional Council has passed this year's budget.

The budget includes a 7 percent increase on the regional portion of property tax bills.

This means for the average property valued at about $278,000, homeowners will pay about $123 more.

Highlights of the budget include the following:

$1.5 million for housing provider operating subsidies
$10.6 million to support infrastructure for regional departments and agencies, boards and commissions
$6.9 million for incentives programs including agricultural and brownfield development charges and tax increment grants
$2.3 million for operating and capital costs of new ambulances
$9.6 million for Niagara Regional Police Services

Council has also allocated funds for the following projects under the operating budget:

$18.6 million Ontario Street reconstruction
$11.3 million Oswego Bridge reconstruction
$8.4 million York Road watermain replacement
$16.8 million Ontario Street watermain replacement
$14.2 million for the rehabilitation of existing housing stock
$16.1 million Decew Booster Station upgrade

"Council appreciates that everything in the lives of our residents is costing more and we are sympathetic to how this budget may be seen as yet another increase to be absorbed by households across the region. I can assure the public that Regional Council was exceedingly thorough in its examination and critical review of the budget and we strived to be as responsible as possible. The 2023 budget ensures that we can continue to provide residents with the service they expect and deserve, while maintaining over $9.8 billion in Regional infrastructure." ~ Jim Bradley, Regional Chair

Niagara Regional Council Passes 2023 Budget

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