Kingston Council approves 2024 municipal budgets with 3.5 per cent property tax increase

Kingston City Council passed its 2024 operating and capital budgets on Jan. 16, with a 2.5 per cent property tax increase plus 1 per cent for capital investment – currently one of the lowest property tax rate increases among Ontario cities with populations over 100,000. 

Under the new Strong Mayor Powers legislation, the budget was proposed by Mayor Bryan Paterson and provided to Council for their consideration, in accordance with Section 284.16 of the Municipal Act, 2001, which assigns the powers and duties with respect to proposing and adopting a budget to the mayor. The Mayor’s 2024 budget includes a $477 million municipal operating budget and a capital budget of $131 million.  

“I am excited to see this year’s budget approved,” says Mayor Paterson. “It provides a strategic roadmap for our city's progress, ensuring targeted investments in crucial areas while maintaining existing City services. This budget establishes the groundwork for several council priorities and sets the stage for many important initiatives for our community.” 

The 3.5 per cent property tax increase – to date, the second lowest of Ontario cities with a population greater than 100,000 – represents $133 per year for a homeowner based on an average market value assessment of $328,100. Property taxes support services such as garbage pick-up, transit, road and bridge maintenance, policing, recreational programs, emergency services, libraries, museums, community services, crossing guards and long-term care.  

“City staff prepared the proposed 2024 budgets based on the direction from Mayor Paterson," says Desiree Kennedy, Chief Financial Officer and City Treasurer. "Despite inflationary challenges, the 2024 operating budget provides for a municipal tax increase of 2.5 per cent, well below the current rate of inflation, plus a 1 per cent incremental capital levy for continued investment in the city’s capital assets." 

The 2024 operating budget not only maintains front-line service levels, but provides for increased maintenance of parks and sports fields, new transit and recreation opportunities, additional firefighting resources, enhanced school safety and support to community safety and wellbeing initiatives as well as increased investment in housing, homelessness, emergency shelter supports and street outreach. 

The capital budget is a funding plan that represents primarily routine asset management investments that are necessary for the ongoing maintenance of our infrastructure and other assets, including roads, bridges, parks, facilities and fleet. This year’s capital budget also includes strategic capital investments such as $9.5 million for the Confederation Basin Promenade, $7.5 million for investment in affordable and supportive housing and $10.2 million for the replacement of six diesel transit buses with electric units, as well as additional $8 million to repair roads in poor condition. 

Council subsequently amended the proposed budget to include an additional $1 million in support for family physician recruitment, as well as $40,000 earmarked for additional crossing guards.