City Budget Process Gets Started with Capital Investment

It's the most wonderful time of the year, city budget consultation time. The process begins on October 1st this year with the presentation of Guelph's Capital Investment Strategy, and city hall's looking for your feedback on what Guelph should spend money on in order to improve the roads, and parks, and other infrastructure that make the Royal City home.

It's worth noting that this will be the final budget brought by this council before next year's election. It's also worth noting that the Capital budget doesn't cover the day-to-day stuff like garbage pick-up, or snow ploughing, or libraries, but all that will come up in due course, and we'll, of course, try to keep you posted when it does come up.

Here's the press release from the city:

First of four budget presentations takes place October 1

Guelph, ON, Thursday, September 19 – The City is improving opportunities for community members to get involved as staff and Council present, discuss, deliberate and approve the City’s budget.

On Tuesday, October 1, City staff will present Guelph’s Capital Investment Strategy: proposed 2014-2023 Capital Budget and Forecast. During the meeting, community members are invited to make presentations supporting specific investments in buildings, roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, parks, trails, and other assets and infrastructure.

“Councillors listen and respond to community feedback throughout the year, and we recognize public input is a critical part of the City’s annual budget process,” said Mayor Karen Farbridge. “We’re encouraging people to write to us and talk with us about specific projects in October to give everyone more time to reflect and discuss capital investments, their impact on taxpayers, and their benefit to the community,” said Mayor Karen Farbridge.

To ensure affordability for taxpayers, most of the City’s proposed capital investments focus on keeping facilities and infrastructure in good repair, ensuring accessibility, and meeting Guelph’s legislated requirements.

“First, we focus on taking care of what we own, then we plan strategic investments designed to enhance Guelph’s quality of life,” said Al Horsman, Guelph’s Chief Financial Officer. “We’re also exploring innovative funding sources to avoid using debt to fund new projects.”

View highlights of Guelph’s Capital Investment Strategy
View Guelph’s Capital Investment Strategy:
proposed 2014-2023 Capital Budget and Forecast

Guelph’s Financial Strategy will be presented in four sections

• Capital Investment Strategy: 2014-2023 proposed Capital Budget and Forecast
• Non-tax-supported Strategy: 2014 proposed Operating and Capital Budget and Forecast
• Tax-supported Operating Strategy: 2014 proposed Operating Budget and Forecast
• Local Boards and Shared Services Strategy: 2014 proposed Operating and Capital Budget

Visit guelph.ca/budget for a complete schedule, and continued updates about Guelph’s Financial Strategy.