Multi-Year Budget

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2024 to 2027 Multi-Year Budget


Mayor's Budget









2024 to 2027 Mayor's Multi-Year Budget

(Final budget documents will be added to this site at a later date)



City of London 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget Adopted

On Thursday, February 29, London City Council approved amendments to the Mayor’s Property Tax supported budget under the Ontario Strong Mayor’s Powers budget process. Mayor Josh Morgan indicated on Friday, March 1 that he will not be vetoing any Council approved amendments, and as such the City’s budget is deemed adopted as amended by Council.

The 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget includes a four-year average tax levy increase of 7.5%, representing an average annual increase of $277 for municipal services based on an average residential property. The first year of this multi-year budget includes a tax levy increase of 8.7% in 2024, representing an average increase of $286 based on an average residential property.

"It’s been an honour to have chaired the budget process for London’s first strong mayor’s multi-year budget process," says Elizabeth Peloza, City Councillor and Budget Chair. “This multi-year budget, in conjunction with our Strategic Plan, will provide current and future Londoners with a clear vision for a vibrant and prosperous forest city."

“This has been a challenging budget process, but I am proud of Council for the time and care that went into each decision,” says Mayor Josh Morgan. “With all amendments having been finalized, the tabled budget is now Council’s budget. We have prioritized vital city services, and I know all members of Council are fully committed to ensuring these investments deliver on the types of results Londoners both expect and deserve. In the meantime, I can also ensure Londoners that work on lowering the projected tax increases for future years will begin immediately.”

The City’s budget also includes the Water and the Wastewater & Treatment rate supported budgets. No amendments were made to the Mayor’s Water and Wastewater budgets. The Water budget includes a four-year average rate increase of 2.9%, equating to an average annual residential cost increase of $16. The Wastewater & Treatment budget includes a four-year average rate increase of 4.8%, equating to an average annual residential cost increase of $36.

“The 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget represents the City’s third multi-year budget” says Anna Lisa Barbon, Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports and City Treasurer. “The City’s multi-year budget process has continued to show its value in providing long-term planning while remaining flexible to react to major disruptions as seen over the last four years. This budget has been developed incorporating key elements of the City of London’s Strategic Financial Framework and continues to be a vital tool in putting London’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan into action.”

For more information on the multi-year budget process, visit GetInvolved.on.ca/budget or London.ca/budget.



In Review: 2024 to 2027 Budget Process

Earlier in 2023, City Council approved the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan. This plan identified the shared vision, mission and priorities that will guide the City's next five years.

To provide a starting point to the Budget process, on December 12, 2023, at the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee, City staff released the City of London’s three draft budgets and gave a presentation related to these budgets. The City uses a four-year cycle to budget (2024 to 2027). The City has three budgets:

  • Property Tax Budget
  • Water Budget, and
  • Wastewater and Treatment Budget.

The release of the budgets represented the start of an important process. Council evaluated the budgets - both the budgets to maintain the existing municipal services Londoners currently receive as well as several business cases. These business cases show:

  • impacts due to new or changed Provincial or Federal legislation that the City needs to adopt,
  • decision points to be made on new investments to aid putting the City’s strategic plan into action, and
  • a couple of opportunities for budget reductions.

Draft Base Budget amendments and Revised Business Cases

On January 16, 2024, the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received a Staff Report and Submissions from a number of Boards and Commissions containing amendments to the Draft Base Budget and Revised Business Cases. These amendments and Revised Business Cases were REFERRED to the Budget Committee deliberations on the 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget.

Amendments to the Mayor's Budget - heard at Budget Committee

Budget Committee met during the month of February and concluded its meetings on the Multi-Year Budget on February 22, 2024. Amendments to the Mayor's Budget were presented at Council on February 29, 2024 for adoption. See a summary of the Amendments brought forward during Budget Committee meetings.

To see the impact of the approved Amendments on the Property Tax Levy, please view the Continuity Schedule.

There were no Amendments to the Water and Wastewater & Treatment Budgets.

Read the summary of decisions - begins at Item 3.2

View the Continuity Schedule (how the decisions made impact the Tax Levy)


Background: Strong Mayor Powers

In June 2023, the Ontario government announced the expansion of strong mayor powers to mayors in an initial 26 municipalities, including London. Strong mayor powers came into effect in the City of London as of July 1, 2023. Under the new changes to the Municipal Act, 2001, it is the Mayor’s responsibility to prepare a budget.

How strong mayor powers affects the budget process

The Municipal Act, 2001, is a provincial statute that regulates Strong Mayor Powers in Ontario. Under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001, the Mayor of the City of London has been given special powers and duties, including the duty to prepare a budget.

The Mayor was required by the Municipal Act, 2001 and Ontario Regulation 530/22 to prepare a budget for the municipality and provide it to each member of Council and to the Clerk on or before February 1, 2024.

After the budget was presented on February 1, Council had 30 days to pass resolutions to amend the Mayor's Budget. If no amendments passed within the 30-day period, the Mayor’s Budget would be adopted.

If Council passes resolutions to amend the Mayor's Budget, the Mayor can decide to veto Council’s resolutions within 10 days of the expiry of the time period for Council to pass a resolution. If the Mayor doesn’t veto any amendments within the 10-day period, the budget as amended by Council resolutions is deemed adopted.

If the Mayor vetoes Council’s resolutions to amend the Mayor's Budget, Council can vote to override the veto within 15 days of the expiry of the time period for the Mayor to veto a resolution. In the vote to override a veto, two-thirds of the members of Council must vote to override the veto or the vote will fail. If Council overrides the Mayor’s veto, the amendment passed by Council will continue to have effect. If Council does not vote to override the Mayor’s veto, then the budget is adopted by the municipality after the expiry of the time period for Council to override the Mayor’s veto.



Ask questions about the budget process

Ask our Finance Supports team any questions you may have about the budget process. Scroll down to the bottom of this page and use the "Questions" tab!


Mayor's Budget









2024 to 2027 Mayor's Multi-Year Budget

(Final budget documents will be added to this site at a later date)



City of London 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget Adopted

On Thursday, February 29, London City Council approved amendments to the Mayor’s Property Tax supported budget under the Ontario Strong Mayor’s Powers budget process. Mayor Josh Morgan indicated on Friday, March 1 that he will not be vetoing any Council approved amendments, and as such the City’s budget is deemed adopted as amended by Council.

The 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget includes a four-year average tax levy increase of 7.5%, representing an average annual increase of $277 for municipal services based on an average residential property. The first year of this multi-year budget includes a tax levy increase of 8.7% in 2024, representing an average increase of $286 based on an average residential property.

"It’s been an honour to have chaired the budget process for London’s first strong mayor’s multi-year budget process," says Elizabeth Peloza, City Councillor and Budget Chair. “This multi-year budget, in conjunction with our Strategic Plan, will provide current and future Londoners with a clear vision for a vibrant and prosperous forest city."

“This has been a challenging budget process, but I am proud of Council for the time and care that went into each decision,” says Mayor Josh Morgan. “With all amendments having been finalized, the tabled budget is now Council’s budget. We have prioritized vital city services, and I know all members of Council are fully committed to ensuring these investments deliver on the types of results Londoners both expect and deserve. In the meantime, I can also ensure Londoners that work on lowering the projected tax increases for future years will begin immediately.”

The City’s budget also includes the Water and the Wastewater & Treatment rate supported budgets. No amendments were made to the Mayor’s Water and Wastewater budgets. The Water budget includes a four-year average rate increase of 2.9%, equating to an average annual residential cost increase of $16. The Wastewater & Treatment budget includes a four-year average rate increase of 4.8%, equating to an average annual residential cost increase of $36.

“The 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget represents the City’s third multi-year budget” says Anna Lisa Barbon, Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports and City Treasurer. “The City’s multi-year budget process has continued to show its value in providing long-term planning while remaining flexible to react to major disruptions as seen over the last four years. This budget has been developed incorporating key elements of the City of London’s Strategic Financial Framework and continues to be a vital tool in putting London’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan into action.”

For more information on the multi-year budget process, visit GetInvolved.on.ca/budget or London.ca/budget.



In Review: 2024 to 2027 Budget Process

Earlier in 2023, City Council approved the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan. This plan identified the shared vision, mission and priorities that will guide the City's next five years.

To provide a starting point to the Budget process, on December 12, 2023, at the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee, City staff released the City of London’s three draft budgets and gave a presentation related to these budgets. The City uses a four-year cycle to budget (2024 to 2027). The City has three budgets:

  • Property Tax Budget
  • Water Budget, and
  • Wastewater and Treatment Budget.

The release of the budgets represented the start of an important process. Council evaluated the budgets - both the budgets to maintain the existing municipal services Londoners currently receive as well as several business cases. These business cases show:

  • impacts due to new or changed Provincial or Federal legislation that the City needs to adopt,
  • decision points to be made on new investments to aid putting the City’s strategic plan into action, and
  • a couple of opportunities for budget reductions.

Draft Base Budget amendments and Revised Business Cases

On January 16, 2024, the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received a Staff Report and Submissions from a number of Boards and Commissions containing amendments to the Draft Base Budget and Revised Business Cases. These amendments and Revised Business Cases were REFERRED to the Budget Committee deliberations on the 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget.

Amendments to the Mayor's Budget - heard at Budget Committee

Budget Committee met during the month of February and concluded its meetings on the Multi-Year Budget on February 22, 2024. Amendments to the Mayor's Budget were presented at Council on February 29, 2024 for adoption. See a summary of the Amendments brought forward during Budget Committee meetings.

To see the impact of the approved Amendments on the Property Tax Levy, please view the Continuity Schedule.

There were no Amendments to the Water and Wastewater & Treatment Budgets.

Read the summary of decisions - begins at Item 3.2

View the Continuity Schedule (how the decisions made impact the Tax Levy)


Background: Strong Mayor Powers

In June 2023, the Ontario government announced the expansion of strong mayor powers to mayors in an initial 26 municipalities, including London. Strong mayor powers came into effect in the City of London as of July 1, 2023. Under the new changes to the Municipal Act, 2001, it is the Mayor’s responsibility to prepare a budget.

How strong mayor powers affects the budget process

The Municipal Act, 2001, is a provincial statute that regulates Strong Mayor Powers in Ontario. Under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001, the Mayor of the City of London has been given special powers and duties, including the duty to prepare a budget.

The Mayor was required by the Municipal Act, 2001 and Ontario Regulation 530/22 to prepare a budget for the municipality and provide it to each member of Council and to the Clerk on or before February 1, 2024.

After the budget was presented on February 1, Council had 30 days to pass resolutions to amend the Mayor's Budget. If no amendments passed within the 30-day period, the Mayor’s Budget would be adopted.

If Council passes resolutions to amend the Mayor's Budget, the Mayor can decide to veto Council’s resolutions within 10 days of the expiry of the time period for Council to pass a resolution. If the Mayor doesn’t veto any amendments within the 10-day period, the budget as amended by Council resolutions is deemed adopted.

If the Mayor vetoes Council’s resolutions to amend the Mayor's Budget, Council can vote to override the veto within 15 days of the expiry of the time period for the Mayor to veto a resolution. In the vote to override a veto, two-thirds of the members of Council must vote to override the veto or the vote will fail. If Council overrides the Mayor’s veto, the amendment passed by Council will continue to have effect. If Council does not vote to override the Mayor’s veto, then the budget is adopted by the municipality after the expiry of the time period for Council to override the Mayor’s veto.



Ask questions about the budget process

Ask our Finance Supports team any questions you may have about the budget process. Scroll down to the bottom of this page and use the "Questions" tab!

Questions?

Do you have questions about the Multi-Year Budget process?

The City of London's finance team will be happy to answer any questions about how we determine our budget.  Ask away!

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  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Is there any money in the budget for renaming schools and streets? If so, how much? Thanksi

    James T asked about 2 months ago

    Hi James, 

    The renaming of Schools is outside the jurisdiction of the City of London – this is the responsibility of School Boards and the Provincial Government. 

    In terms of Commemorative Naming of City of London Assets, in 2021 a total of $250,000 was budgeted and set aside within the capital budget for reviewing the existing commemorative naming policy and related consultation. Since that time, approximately $128,000 has been spent or committed, leaving an available balance of $122,000. 

    The current Commemorative Street Naming Policy, can be accessed at this link - Commemorative Street Naming Policy | City of London

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    What measurables do London Police Services have to report on next year at this time? What quantifiable results has council demanded?

    kbrajotte asked about 2 months ago

    Thank you for your inquiry. The London Police Services (LPS) Board will be the board/commission that would be bringing forward any related Key Performance Indicators directly to Council. We would advise you to connect with LPS directly – Their contact page is: https://www.londonpolice.ca/Modules/contact/search.aspx?s=DpdBNKuO9Bh7VpL2YkxSDweQuAleQuAl

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    What are you doing about the homeless problem? ..ie other cities dumping their homeless here in London ..have you walked downtown lately?....homeless people are using doorways, alleys and sidewalks as toilets...

    PJ asked 2 months ago

    Thank you for your question!  Housing Affordability and Homelessness has been identified as one of the major priorities in the Mayor’s budget. In the Mayor’s Budget presentation (item 3.1 of the Budget Committee agenda), page 33 lists seven business cases included in the Mayor’s Budget with the strategic area of focus being housing and homelessness.

    Please also note page 36, which includes additional commentary on budget support for housing. Other business cases included in the Mayor’s Budget also have indirect connections to homelessness, such as  the amended version of business case P-41 which focuses on expansion of public washroom hours. 

    Lastly, please see the page Whole of Community System Response to Health and Homelessness on the City of London website to find more information of what is being done in this area.  Please also view this link to to the recent update report.

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    Add to budget income: Dumping fees at envirodepots for landscape businesses offloading yard waste?

    Dennis asked 2 months ago

    Thank you for your submission. User fees are considered and reviewed annually as part of the Consolidated Fees and Charges By-Law. There is also a public participation meeting on fees and charges. The 2024-2027 items were brought forward as part of the November 21 2023 Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee – Link - Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee - November 21, 2023 (escribemeetings.com). This annual process provides an opportunity for potential changes to fees and charges. While initially set for the 2024-2027 budget period, the charges and fees by-law will be reviewed again in the second half of 2024.

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    If make a five-minute presentation on February 27th, will I have any idea of what time I would get to present?

    Don Pollock asked 2 months ago

    No, presentations are not scheduled at a specific time.  All in-person presenters, who are not required to pre-register, take turns speaking at the microphones available in the gallery and overflow meeting rooms.

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    Our group would like to make a submission on the impact of the budget on seniors and propose a possible solution for lower-income. How do I make such a submission?

    Don Pollock asked 2 months ago

    Hi Don, thank you for your question!

    You can choose to either speak at the February 27th Public Participation Meeting held in front of the Budget Committee, or you can submit your feedback in writing in advance of the meeting - your submission will be included on the meeting's agenda:  https://london.ca/government/council-civic-administration/council-committee-meetings

    Please note that all speakers are limited to five minutes for their comments. You do not need to pre-register to attend and speak.  If you are submitting your input in writing, you will need to do so before Friday, February 16 at 9:00 a.m.

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    What is business case P-57 London Police Service Facilities Masterplan and Protective Services Training Campus?

    Yi Oxoto asked 3 months ago

    The latest amended P-57 London Police Service Facilities Masterplan and Protective Services Training Campus business case can be viewed on the Get Involved Budget page: It begins on page 28 of the linked document. A brief summary of the case:

    In 2019, London Police Service Long Term Facility Accommodation Plan was completed by an independent consulting firm to validate current and future facility and space needs over the next 25 years. The London Police Service Long Term Facility Accommodation Plan is composed of three phases: phase one will address adding additional space for police operations and administrative spaces, phase two will address a joint training campus for London Police Services and London Fire Department, and phase three will focus on expanding London Police Services headquarters.

    Thanks for your question!

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    Why do the police want a "light-armoured vehicle"?

    terry b asked 3 months ago

    Hi Terry, Business Case #P-29 provides information on the Light Armoured Vehicle – specifically page 511 of the December,12 2023 draft budget document:

    Light Armoured Vehicle (in 2026): The proposed change involves the acquisition of a second police Light Armoured Vehicle to

    enhance the capabilities of our response to high-risk incidents due to the evolving nature of violent criminal activities, the

    increased prevalence of firearm related offences, and realized threats of violence within our community. This second Light

    Armoured Vehicle is required due to the inherent risk present when police are required to contain and control a location when

    natural points of cover are insufficient or nonexistent. London Police Service requires the appropriate equipment and tools to

    respond effectively to these high-risk incidents and this investment will directly increase the safety of frontline officers when

    responding to resolve high-risk or violent incidents. One Light Armoured Vehicle poses limitations with establishing appropriate

    containment of a location (cannot contain all four sides of a building). In the event the one existing Light Armoured Vehicle were

    to be inoperable (ex. mechanical failure), the organization would currently be unable to respond to a high-risk incident with such

    equipment as there is no redundancy or additional unit within our fleet.

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    I was looking through the multi year budget for road work projects but could not see when Highbury Ave between the 401 and Hamilton Road is planned for resurfacing\rebuilding. Can you advise where I can find that?

    PeterH asked 3 months ago

    There is a capital budget for “Highbury Ave S – Hwy 401 to South Branch of Thames River” included in the capital base budget with construction to begin in 2025/2026.  

    This can be seen on the Tax Supported Project Detail Record on the City of London Budget web Page:  Tax Supported Project Detail Records and Appendices (london.ca) and it is part of the capital project TS144624 budget listed on page 195.

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    Will the city make sure the biome lines are a priority in the maintenance of the city invest more money in that area like other cities do we need to reduce the air pollution

    Pierrette Caron asked 3 months ago

    Hi Pierrette, thank you for your question!

    The City is committed to protecting its natural areas and parks; we’re taking actions to invest in their maintenance with early detection of invasive pests such as Beech Leaf Disease, invasive species management, tree planting and woodland inventory.  Natural areas are important to reducing air pollution. Trees help to mitigate air pollution while also providing oxygen and sequestering carbon. Our Forestry team is achieving great results in average street tree longevity, and for the past 8 years we have met or exceeded our city tree planting targets of 5000 to 6,000 trees per year. We continue to work on our Tree Planting Strategy to achieve our Urban Forest Strategy goal of 34% tree canopy cover by 2065, and Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050 to support the Climate Emergency Action Plan. Investing in trees on private and public lands is a focus for our team, we administer two tree by-laws to assist with this aim, and shortly we will be announcing our revised TreeMe grant program which will also incorporate the Tree Canopy Conservation Program to better assist homeowners with maintenance of Distinctive Trees. Facilitating the residents of London with planting and maintaining their own trees while also continuing to strive for excellence in the municipal work of managing over 1200 hectares of woodland and 200,000 individual an ongoing priority for the City of London.

Page last updated: 25 Mar 2024, 08:15 AM