The City of Welland’s Budget Review Committee (BRC) is underway for the deliberations of the 2023 operation, capital, and water and wastewater budgets.

Council provided staff directions for preparing the 2023 budget, which included, but were not limited to, such tasks as maintaining 2022 service levels while targeting a minimal impact on the tax rate after assessment and growth, preparing a capital budget and forecast for 2023-2032, and that all 10 years of the capital forecast be fully funded.

“We know affordability is a concern for many in our community, particularly for senior and low-income wage earners and how to make Welland affordable for current residents and our children’s generation,” said Bonnie Fokkens, councillor and budget review committee chair. “We need to consider public policy and investments that allow a diverse range of current residents and our next generation to live in Welland and raise their own families here. We are committed to ensuring that Welland remains a great place to live, raise a family, and enjoy a high quality of life for now and tomorrow.”

While deliberating the budgets, the BRC will focus on health and wellness, good governance, economic prosperity, new jobs, fiscal sustainability, and infrastructure renewal.

To engage the public, the City created a Your Budget Talks 2023 page on the City’s Engage Welland page for idea sharing, the opportunity to learn about the impacts of a municipal budget, and to view the timeline for various budget deliberations.

In addition to the online engagement, two public meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, January 24, 2023 (tax-supported and capital budgets), and Thursday, January 26, 2023 (water and wastewater operating and capital), both at 5 p.m. Should residents wish to speak at these meetings, they should contact the City Clerk, Tara Stephens, at clerk@welland.ca no later than noon on Friday, January 6, 2023, to be provided with a link to participate. Should anyone wish only to view the meeting, all Budget Review Committee meetings are live-streamed on the City of Welland’s website: www.welland.ca/Council/Livstream.asp.