A Statement from Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley on the Regional Council’s 2025 Budget, with a Foreword by Niagara At Large reporter/publisher Doug Draper
Posted December 13th, 2024 on Niagara At Large
A Brief Foreword by Doug Draper –
Niagara’s Regional Headquarters in Thorold
A majority on Niagara’s Regional Council just passed, for the third year in a row, an annual budget – this one featuring a 9.6 per cent tax bill hike – that is well above the rate of inflation, as high as that is.
Now let me ask you something?
How many of you out there who own a home or other property or are renting an apartment or other property in this region is going to see their income or pension go up 9.6 per cent to pay for it? I am sure the answer is very few, if any, of you.
Sufficed to say, something is going terribly wrong here with the way our regional services are being managed and our growth is being planned in this region because these kind of budget increases are off the charts and completely unsustainable.
Niagara At Large will have more news and commentary on this in the days and weeks ahead.
In the meantime, here is Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley’s statement –
Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley,
Regional Chair Jim Bradley offered the following statement after Niagara Regional Council passed its 2025 budget (this past December 13th, 2024) :
“This year’s budget is the culmination of a lengthy and robust collaboration between Council and Regional staff to pass a challenging and fiscally responsible budget that makes essential investments in the Region’s core services.
It is important to remember that a large majority of the services provided by the Region are mandatory. No less than 92 per cent of our budget, and 95 per cent of our staff, are dedicated to delivering those vital services to our residents and businesses.
I very much sympathize with those who may be disappointed with this year’s 9.6 per cent increase.
While property tax increases are never an ideal outcome, Council takes seriously its responsibility to deliver essential services, even in the midst of an exceptionally challenging economic climate that has seen costs rise for residents and municipalities alike.
It is also important to remember that over 40 per cent of the Region’s budget is concerned with funding its agencies, boards and commissions, with the Niagara Regional Police Service’s budget comprising the vast majority.
I would like to commend Regional Council for taking what steps it can to control costs in this (Police Service) area. That includes advocating to the provincial government to cover the costs caused by the new Community Safety and Policing Act, which has greatly increased the duties required of our frontline officers without providing any extra funding.
I would like to commend all members of Council for their diligence and attention when considering these important matters. I would also like to recognize the efforts of Regional staff who have worked diligently to provide Council with the information needed to make these very difficult decisions.
Finally, I would like to thank Mayor Wayne Redekop for once again serving as Chair of the Region’s Budget Review Committee of the Whole. Mayor Redekop’s steady hand and confident leadership were crucial to navigating another challenging budget, and his service is very much valued by all members of Council.”
To watch Niagara Regional Council’s December 12, 2024 budget meeting, click on –
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