Go Back

City of Waterloo 2020-2022 draft budget

Share City of Waterloo 2020-2022 draft budget on Facebook Share City of Waterloo 2020-2022 draft budget on Twitter Share City of Waterloo 2020-2022 draft budget on Linkedin Email City of Waterloo 2020-2022 draft budget link

Consultation has concluded. To view the highlights of the approved budget visit waterloo.ca/budget or read this media release posted on Feb. 10, 2020 when the budget was approved. 

The 2020-2022 City of Waterloo budget has been presented to city council. Elected officials will now have time to review the draft budget and the business plans put forth by city departments. The draft budget was put together very thoughtfully and deliberately. Staff considered the condition of city facilities and infrastructure, population trends, city growth and development, demand for services and programs and reviewed input received from the community over the last year, and in some cases even further back. A total of four surveys and public engagements were conducted by the City of Waterloo that have helped inform the proposed 2020-2022 budget, namely:

The proposed 2020-2022 budget – “Moving Forward Together” aims to support strategic priorities while delivering on our core services, through four main goals:

1. Support for existing programs and services

2. Operating funding to support new capital assets

3. Service delivery enhancements and additions as supported by the new strategic plan

4. Increased investment in infrastructure renewal

Highlights include:

  • For 2020-2022, $2.4 million in budget efficiencies, and revenue opportunities (including budget adjustments from previous years) have been identified and included in the proposed budget submission before council
  • Average annual proposed property tax household increase over 2020-2022 of $45.39
  • Average annual proposed utilities rate increase over 2020-2022 of $43.70 (including the Region of Waterloo’s portion of $17.88 annual average)

Using the findings from the public from these four engagements, the following is a summary of actions in the proposed 2020-2022 budget that align with what we heard.

Research source
What we heard
Proposed actions in 2020-2022 Operating Budget
Proposed actions in the 2020-2022 Capital Budget
Citizen Satisfaction Survey
Improve road maintenance and repair
Increase spending by $200,000 on preventative maintenance. This funding will be for an operations analyst, repair materials, software to monitor road conditions, and various upkeep and maintenance.
Invest $20.2 million in 2020-2022 to reconstruct more than 14 roads, in addition to other work such as road resurfacing and roadside maintenance. Invest an additional$1.2 million to maintain sidewalks and trails to encourage active transportation.
Asset Management Plan survey
Support spending more tax dollars to maintain city assets - such as libraries and rec centres
Increase spending by $1 million on preventative maintenance, repairs, and overall upkeep for city-owned buildings.
Invest $18.5 million in 2020-2022 for the refurbishment of more than seven facilities, as well as to rehabilitate and maintain various facilities and parks across the city.
Citizen Satisfaction Survey
Improve snow clearance in the city
Increase spending by $500,000 to hire additional staff in city utilities that will also assist with winter maintenance. In addition, review recommendations from the winter modernization study that was presented to council on November 18, 2019 through report IPPW2019-064.
Invest $53,000 to undertake a snow dump study in 2021. In addition, review recommendations from the winter modernization study that was presented to council on November 18, 2019 through report IPPW2019-064.
Asset Management Plan survey
Support increased spending to ensure the city’s water remains clean and safe, including increasing water rates and taking on debt, if necessary, to invest in pipes and systems
Increased spending by $700,000 to hire additional staff in city utilities to address the backlog of critical infrastructure maintenance, as well as to operate the excavation and fill pile storage facility supporting activities relating to water main breaks.
Invest $43 million in 2020-2022 to develop and maintain the city’s water, stormwater and sanitary systems and infrastructure, which includes $21.2 million to refurbish underground pipes in tandem with more than 11 road reconstruction projects.


Thanks for your input!

Thank you to everyone who provided input regarding the budget. The budget was approved on Feb. 10, 2020. For details of the approved budget view this media release with highlights. For more information about the budget and budget process, please visit waterloo.ca/budget.

The 2020-2022 City of Waterloo budget has been presented to city council. Elected officials will now have time to review the draft budget and the business plans put forth by city departments. The draft budget was put together very thoughtfully and deliberately. Staff considered the condition of city facilities and infrastructure, population trends, city growth and development, demand for services and programs and reviewed input received from the community over the last year, and in some cases even further back. A total of four surveys and public engagements were conducted by the City of Waterloo that have helped inform the proposed 2020-2022 budget, namely:

The proposed 2020-2022 budget – “Moving Forward Together” aims to support strategic priorities while delivering on our core services, through four main goals:

1. Support for existing programs and services

2. Operating funding to support new capital assets

3. Service delivery enhancements and additions as supported by the new strategic plan

4. Increased investment in infrastructure renewal

Highlights include:

  • For 2020-2022, $2.4 million in budget efficiencies, and revenue opportunities (including budget adjustments from previous years) have been identified and included in the proposed budget submission before council
  • Average annual proposed property tax household increase over 2020-2022 of $45.39
  • Average annual proposed utilities rate increase over 2020-2022 of $43.70 (including the Region of Waterloo’s portion of $17.88 annual average)

Using the findings from the public from these four engagements, the following is a summary of actions in the proposed 2020-2022 budget that align with what we heard.

Research source
What we heard
Proposed actions in 2020-2022 Operating Budget
Proposed actions in the 2020-2022 Capital Budget
Citizen Satisfaction Survey
Improve road maintenance and repair
Increase spending by $200,000 on preventative maintenance. This funding will be for an operations analyst, repair materials, software to monitor road conditions, and various upkeep and maintenance.
Invest $20.2 million in 2020-2022 to reconstruct more than 14 roads, in addition to other work such as road resurfacing and roadside maintenance. Invest an additional$1.2 million to maintain sidewalks and trails to encourage active transportation.
Asset Management Plan survey
Support spending more tax dollars to maintain city assets - such as libraries and rec centres
Increase spending by $1 million on preventative maintenance, repairs, and overall upkeep for city-owned buildings.
Invest $18.5 million in 2020-2022 for the refurbishment of more than seven facilities, as well as to rehabilitate and maintain various facilities and parks across the city.
Citizen Satisfaction Survey
Improve snow clearance in the city
Increase spending by $500,000 to hire additional staff in city utilities that will also assist with winter maintenance. In addition, review recommendations from the winter modernization study that was presented to council on November 18, 2019 through report IPPW2019-064.
Invest $53,000 to undertake a snow dump study in 2021. In addition, review recommendations from the winter modernization study that was presented to council on November 18, 2019 through report IPPW2019-064.
Asset Management Plan survey
Support increased spending to ensure the city’s water remains clean and safe, including increasing water rates and taking on debt, if necessary, to invest in pipes and systems
Increased spending by $700,000 to hire additional staff in city utilities to address the backlog of critical infrastructure maintenance, as well as to operate the excavation and fill pile storage facility supporting activities relating to water main breaks.
Invest $43 million in 2020-2022 to develop and maintain the city’s water, stormwater and sanitary systems and infrastructure, which includes $21.2 million to refurbish underground pipes in tandem with more than 11 road reconstruction projects.


Thanks for your input!

Thank you to everyone who provided input regarding the budget. The budget was approved on Feb. 10, 2020. For details of the approved budget view this media release with highlights. For more information about the budget and budget process, please visit waterloo.ca/budget.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    City of Waterloo draft budget 2020-2022

    Thanks to ongoing input from the community, the city has developed a draft capital and operating budget that has been influenced by residents. Council and city staff are now doing a final check in before finalizing the three-year budget. Please complete this simple survey.

    Consultation has concluded. To view the highlights of the approved budget visit waterloo.ca/budget or read this media release posted on Feb. 10, 2020 when the budget was approved. 
    Share City of Waterloo draft budget 2020-2022 on Facebook Share City of Waterloo draft budget 2020-2022 on Twitter Share City of Waterloo draft budget 2020-2022 on Linkedin Email City of Waterloo draft budget 2020-2022 link