The proposed 2024-27 Budget Booklet outlines the Municipality’s financial plan for the next four years and serves to guide policy, strategic decision-making and service levels. It includes a broad overview of the operations, current financial position and capital and operating budgets of the Municipality.
Understanding municipal budgets can be daunting. What is operating versus capital? What do I need to know? And how does all of this impact my property taxes and my family?
You've come to the right place. We've created this quick guide to the Municipal budget process. Everything you need to know is now at your fingertips.
November 20, 2023
Proposed Budget is made available to the public.
November 24, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.
Special General Government Committee Meeting for presentation of budget and external agencies presentations.
December 4, 2023 immediately after the General Government Committee meeting which starts at 9:30 a.m.
Special Council Meeting to consider the budget.
December 18, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
Council Meeting
Under the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, the Mayor of Clarington has the duty to prepare the municipality’s budget and present it to Council.
Direction and Planning
Proposed Budget Preparation
Presentation to Council and Public
Council Deliberation and Amendment
Budget Adoption
Budget Timeline
How does the Municipality prepare its budget? |
Clarington has six departments: Public Works, Emergency and Fire Services, Legislative Services, Community Services, Planning and Infrastructure Services, and Financial Services the; the departments are overseen by the Chief Administrative Office. Each department prepares a budget for its area of responsibility, based on the past year's spending and forecasting costs for 2024-27. They work to ensure that residents will enjoy either the same level of service, and in some cases, see enhanced services. |
What is the operating budget? |
The operating budget outlines Clarington's spending plan for the day-to-day cost of the Municipality's programs and services, including fire services, programs, facilities, parks, arenas, road maintenance, staffing, utilities, libraries and much more. It is the equivalent of a household budget for groceries, gas, electricity, and insurance premiums. In Ontario, municipalities are required by the Municipal Act, 2001 to plan balanced operating budgets—meaning expenses must equal revenues every year and cannot borrow money to fund operating expenses. |
What is the capital budget? |
The capital budget outlines significant expenditures on the acquisition and replacement of physical assets such as buildings, road repairs, bridges, and vehicles. The operating costs for these assets are included in the operating budget. In Ontario, municipalities can borrow some funds and run a deficit, within limits, to fund capital projects. For a household, the equivalent would be buying a new car or computer, or building an addition on the house. |
How does Council decide on the budget? |
Under the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, the Mayor has a duty to propose the Municipality’s budget and present it to Council before February 1. The proposed budget is subject to Council amendments, a Mayoral veto, and a Council override process; each step is subject to a limited number of calendar days. After that has passed, the proposed budget is deemed to have been adopted by Council. A municipality can choose to prepare a budget covering one to five years. Clarington is preparing a four-year budget. Rather than preparing an annual budget, Council will review and adopt a budget for the next four years. To remain flexible and to adapt with changing needs, the budget will be reevaluated annually by Council. |
If there is a budget surplus, where does the money go? |
Legislation allows Municipalities to allocate any surplus money at the end of each fiscal year to reserve funds. Clarington puts surplus funds in the Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund to offset any future deficits and help even out any tax rate increases. |
How is my tax money spent? |
Council sets out priorities through the budget, and tax dollars are spent on those items. Some of the priorities are fire protection, road maintenance and repair, parks, facilities, programs, libraries, municipal law enforcement, long-term capital projects, and much more. |
How are home values assessed? |
The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is responsible for assessing and classifying more than five million properties in Ontario. Every year, MPAC provides municipalities with an assessment roll to be used for taxation purposes. If you have questions about your assessment, call MPAC at 1-866-296-6722 or visit the MPAC website. For property-specific inquiries, visit the About My Property section to view information on your property, access your property assessment notice, and compare your property to others. If you disagree with your assessment, you can file a Request for Reconsideration (deadlines applicable). |
How are my taxes calculated? |
Your tax bill is calculated by multiplying your property's assessed value by the tax rates determined by the municipality, the region, and province. Please see understanding your tax bill for more details. |
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