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What would you like to know about our budget?

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Consultation has concluded

Budget 2019

Thank you to everyone who shared their ideas on how the city can best share information to the community about the city’s budget.

A total of 55 people completed the survey, and while the information cannot be considered scientifically valid based on the number of responses, the information did provide a snapshot into some sentiment regarding the city’s communications around its budget.

Among respondents, a few trends were identified, specifically:

  • a greater clarity on how the budget is developed;
  • a desire to understand how priorities for the community are determined; and
  • a desire to have an opportunity to provide input into the city’s budget prior to council approval.

Respondents also noted that:

  • the city does a good job of creating a budget where money is spent on things that are important to respondents; and
  • the city communicates the budget in an understandable way.

Respondents were also asked to rank which city services were of greatest importance to them. Water services ranked as the most important, with loose leaf collection the least important. The survey also asked, among the services offered by the city, where would respondents like to see more money spent. Roads maintenance, repairs and upgrades was ranked more important with loose leaf collection the least.

Staff will consider this feedback as it develops the communication plan for the 2020 to 2022 budget. To review more details about the engagement findings, view the 2019 Budget Process Debrief in the March 18, 2019 council packet.

For more information about the 2019 budget visit www.waterloo.ca/budget.

Thank you to everyone who shared their ideas on how the city can best share information to the community about the city’s budget.

A total of 55 people completed the survey, and while the information cannot be considered scientifically valid based on the number of responses, the information did provide a snapshot into some sentiment regarding the city’s communications around its budget.

Among respondents, a few trends were identified, specifically:

  • a greater clarity on how the budget is developed;
  • a desire to understand how priorities for the community are determined; and
  • a desire to have an opportunity to provide input into the city’s budget prior to council approval.

Respondents also noted that:

  • the city does a good job of creating a budget where money is spent on things that are important to respondents; and
  • the city communicates the budget in an understandable way.

Respondents were also asked to rank which city services were of greatest importance to them. Water services ranked as the most important, with loose leaf collection the least important. The survey also asked, among the services offered by the city, where would respondents like to see more money spent. Roads maintenance, repairs and upgrades was ranked more important with loose leaf collection the least.

Staff will consider this feedback as it develops the communication plan for the 2020 to 2022 budget. To review more details about the engagement findings, view the 2019 Budget Process Debrief in the March 18, 2019 council packet.

For more information about the 2019 budget visit www.waterloo.ca/budget.

Consultation has concluded

Ask us a question about the 2019 budget and/or our budget process. A staff person will respond within 24 hours.

  • Share Why are the residents of Waterloo charged for their water meter. I imagine this has been paid may times over and is another typical city gouge/hidden tax. I had better check to see if I am being charged for my hydro meter. on Facebook Share Why are the residents of Waterloo charged for their water meter. I imagine this has been paid may times over and is another typical city gouge/hidden tax. I had better check to see if I am being charged for my hydro meter. on Twitter Share Why are the residents of Waterloo charged for their water meter. I imagine this has been paid may times over and is another typical city gouge/hidden tax. I had better check to see if I am being charged for my hydro meter. on Linkedin Email Why are the residents of Waterloo charged for their water meter. I imagine this has been paid may times over and is another typical city gouge/hidden tax. I had better check to see if I am being charged for my hydro meter. link

    Why are the residents of Waterloo charged for their water meter. I imagine this has been paid may times over and is another typical city gouge/hidden tax. I had better check to see if I am being charged for my hydro meter.

    65waterloo asked about 6 years ago

    This fixed fee on your utility bill is a service fee that pays for the cost associated with providing drinking water, collecting sanitary wastewater and managing stormwater. This is similar to the flat fees that gas and hydro companies charge. Part of the fee goes toward meter replacement when the time comes.

  • Share Are seniors on fixed incomes being considered. I am sure my fixed income ( CPP/OAS ) will not go up by the 3.2% as stated in the Record article on Dec 11. It seems seniors fall behind more every year. on Facebook Share Are seniors on fixed incomes being considered. I am sure my fixed income ( CPP/OAS ) will not go up by the 3.2% as stated in the Record article on Dec 11. It seems seniors fall behind more every year. on Twitter Share Are seniors on fixed incomes being considered. I am sure my fixed income ( CPP/OAS ) will not go up by the 3.2% as stated in the Record article on Dec 11. It seems seniors fall behind more every year. on Linkedin Email Are seniors on fixed incomes being considered. I am sure my fixed income ( CPP/OAS ) will not go up by the 3.2% as stated in the Record article on Dec 11. It seems seniors fall behind more every year. link

    Are seniors on fixed incomes being considered. I am sure my fixed income ( CPP/OAS ) will not go up by the 3.2% as stated in the Record article on Dec 11. It seems seniors fall behind more every year.

    senior asked about 6 years ago

    The draft budget proposes a 1.9% increase in property taxes for 2019 and a 2.7% increase for water/wastewater/stormwater utilities. The Region of Waterloo’s portion of utilities is proposed to increase by 2%. Property taxes are based on the assessment value of a home and utilities are based on use. Tax increases greater than 3% can be deferred for seniors on Guaranteed Income Supplement. For more details, visit the tax rates and relief page of our website.