LOOK INSIDE THE PROCESS

LETS TALK BUDGET A

By Maurice Brenner Deputy Mayor/Regional Councillor Ward 1 Pickering Pickering is preparing its 2024 budget under the Strong Mayor’s Powers granted by the Provincial Government. Todays column will provide an inside look at how the Budget is being created and the why the Public’s input is so important. Before getting into the details, I want to make it very clear that I DO NOT SUPPORT THE GRANTING OF STRONG MAYORS POWERS as I see it as an erosion of the role of elected Councillors. That said, until the Province reverses the Legislation that granted it,( topic for another day) it is my role to do the best I can to find ways to ensure the voices of the Public are heard on all Municipal matters such as the setting of the Budget. NEW THIS YEAR This is the first year that the Pickering Budget will be prepared under the Strong Mayor's Power which is why Public input to the Mayor is so important. City Staff are currently working with the Mayor and will forward it to each member of Council the Mayor’s Budget both Capital and Operating for review. At that point I along with my colleagues will have the opportunity to challenge the Budget on a line by line basis and provide suggestions to the Mayor. These challenges however are not binding to the Mayor however it is an opportunity to try to convince the Mayor to re-consider. WHY IS COMMUNITY INPUT SO IMPORTANT Pickering is a thriving city thanks to the residents and businesses who choose to live, work, and invest here. A budget not only sets your Property Tax, but also puts in place the individual business plans of every department which translates into the services and new infrastructure you can expect for 2024. TIME LINES The commenting period closes at midnight, Thursday, January 4, 2024. Input received will be provided to the City's Director, Finance & Treasurer, and Mayor Ashe for consideration when presenting the Mayor’s 2024 Capital and Current Budgets by January 30, 2024. Councillors get the Budget at the same time the Public gets it. VIRTUAL PUBLIC INPUT Members of the Public can tune in for a virtual presentation and Q&A on the Recommended Draft 2024 Capital Budget highlights, with City of Pickering Director, Finance & Treasurer. Residents can tune in and leave their questions on the comments thread or email their questions in advance to socialmedia@pickering.ca. Location: Facebook.com/CityofPickering or YouTube.com/CityofPickering Date/Time: Thursday, January 4, 2024 - 7 pm to 8 pm WARD 1 & 2 COMMUNITY TOWN HALL Ward 2 Councillors Linda Cook (Regional), Mara Nagy (City) along with myself are planning to host a joint Ward 1 and 2 Community Town Hall meeting Monday January 15th 7:00PM, at the Westshore Community Centre. This will be an opportunity for residents to learn more about the Capital Infrastructure being planned as part of the proposed Capital Budget as well as a dialog with residents on items that are important to them. (Watch for more details) CAPITAL BUDGET FORECAST; The Senior Staff Recommended Draft 2024 Capital Budget and 2025-2027 Capital Forecast is available for viewing online, with the option to reach the Finance Department directly through budget@pickering.ca. Residents can visit Let’sTalkPickering.ca/Budget to view this document, get a better understanding of the cost of capital infrastructure and where property taxes go, watch a video overview of the City’s key infrastructure projects, and share budget priorities for Pickering’s future.