Oakville Council adopts 2024 Budget to build a more vibrant, thriving town

Oakville Town Council unanimously adopted the 2024 Budget that keeps the property tax increase of 4.38 per cent, inclusive of town, regional and educational taxes, the lowest in Halton region. 

The Town of Oakville’s 2024 capital and operating budgets will maintain and increase programs, services, and infrastructure to achieve four key strategic priorities – preparing for growth, delivering excellence in services, ensuring environmental sustainability and enhancing community belonging for all.

By the numbers

• Gross Operating budget of $404.1 million to maintain all programs and services such as recreation and culture, seniors services, libraries, fire services, transit, parks, trails
• Capital budget of $188.2 million to support infrastructure renewal, growth and program initiatives
• The operating budget reflects a 5.86 per cent increase to the town’s tax levy, which results in an overall property tax increase of 4.38 per cent when combined with the regional and educational tax levies 
• The operating budget reflects a residential property tax increase of $33.34 per $100,000 of assessment, meaning that the owner of a home assessed at $800,000 would pay an additional $266.72 per year
• For every tax dollar collected, the town receives 43 per cent, while the remainder goes towards regional and educational services

This was the first town budget under a new process based on Bill 3, Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, Strong Mayor Powers. The Budget Committee recommended to the Mayor that the tax increase not exceed 4.5 per cent. In response, Mayor Rob Burton put forward a budget with a 4.38 per cent tax increase. At the Special Council meeting on December 20, 2023, Council approved two additional amendments to the Mayor’s budget, with no change to the overall tax increase. The Mayor decided to not exercise his right to veto the amendments and therefore the budget was adopted with a 4.38 per cent tax increase. 

Visit the 2024 Budget page for more information, including departmental presentations, the budget decision flowchart (pdf) and more. 

Key investments

• $22.8 million for new parks, parkettes and trails, and to rehabilitate and renew existing parks  
• $21.5 million for parkland acquisition for future park development 
• $18.9 million for transit electric vehicles and charging infrastructure 
• $14.1 million for construction of the permanent Fire Station 9 in North Oakville
• $9.0 million for the road resurfacing and preservation program 
• $6.2 million for traffic management, traffic signal program, traffic calming and road safety program to promote safe travel and pedestrian safety on town roads 
• $5.4 million for Downtown Cultural Hub 
• $5.1 million for land for the design and construction of a snow storage facility
• $5.0 million for land purchase for a future Trafalgar corridor north library
• $100,000 towards supporting community events across the town, including $10,000 each for the town’s three Business Improvement Areas

Quotes

"Our total property tax increase of 4.38 per cent is far below our neighbours and many municipalities. This year's budget process stands out as the most inclusive and collaborative in the history of our town. Our 2024 budget invests in the future and the priorities of our vibrant and livable community."

– Mayor Rob Burton

“Taking multiple perspectives, opportunities and pressures into consideration, the Budget Committee focused on growing Oakville responsibly while respecting taxpayers. We are grateful for community input that helped shape the budget, aligned with our strategic priorities of growth management, environment sustainability, community belonging and accountable governance.”

– Town and Regional Councillor Sean O’Meara, 2024 Budget Committee Chair

“Through the input received from residents, businesses and community groups, the Budget Committee prioritized the interests of our community to keep affordability at the heart of all our efforts. There are exciting new investments in this budget that the community can look forward to, while the town continues to deliver high-quality service, programs and opportunities for all.” 

–  Town Councillor Marc Grant, 2024 Budget Committee Vice Chair