Budget 2021

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Consultation has concluded. 

Kitchener City Council has passed the 2021 budget, approving a financial plan that maintains existing services while delivering the lowest possible increase for homeowners. Delivering a property tax increase of 0.94 per cent, the lowest in more than a decade, is possible due to the steps the City has taken to mitigate the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a combined annual cost increase of $33 (taxes, water, gas) for the average Kitchener household, the 2021 budget continues the City’s goal of keeping property tax rate increases at or below the benchmark rate of inflation. The full budget and associated background information is available at Kitchener.ca/budget.

two winter shovels - one blue, one orange

The spread of COVID-19 is creating financial challenges for people and businesses across our community. We've taken steps throughout 2020 to provide financial relief to citizens and mitigate the financial impact of the pandemic without impacting the services that residents rely on every day.

At the same time, we're still committed to advance the priorities that matter to Kitchener residents through the shared goals of our strategic plan. Through innovative thinking, community partnerships and the support of residents, we've been able to make tremendous progress towards our strategic goals.

For the average household in Kitchener, the proposed rate increases for 2021 are:

  • Property tax increase is 1.1 per cent or $12/year
  • Water utilities increase is 0.9 per cent or $11/year
  • Gas increase is 1.5 per cent or $11/year
  • Total impact - $34/year

Yearly costs estimates are based on a bungalow with an assessed average of $326,000, our current average.

This is lowest proposed increase to the average homeowner in more than a decade. To fully explain the context of our 2021 budget, we need to talk about the past, present and future. Learn more about the plan for 2021, the progress we've made and then take our survey using the tabs below. We want to know what you think of our approach.

The spread of COVID-19 is creating financial challenges for people and businesses across our community. We've taken steps throughout 2020 to provide financial relief to citizens and mitigate the financial impact of the pandemic without impacting the services that residents rely on every day.

At the same time, we're still committed to advance the priorities that matter to Kitchener residents through the shared goals of our strategic plan. Through innovative thinking, community partnerships and the support of residents, we've been able to make tremendous progress towards our strategic goals.

For the average household in Kitchener, the proposed rate increases for 2021 are:

  • Property tax increase is 1.1 per cent or $12/year
  • Water utilities increase is 0.9 per cent or $11/year
  • Gas increase is 1.5 per cent or $11/year
  • Total impact - $34/year

Yearly costs estimates are based on a bungalow with an assessed average of $326,000, our current average.

This is lowest proposed increase to the average homeowner in more than a decade. To fully explain the context of our 2021 budget, we need to talk about the past, present and future. Learn more about the plan for 2021, the progress we've made and then take our survey using the tabs below. We want to know what you think of our approach.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Take the survey

    Each of the survey questions will describe an element of the proposed 2021 budget and our approach. We want to know what you think of each element of our approach, and how well we're delivering on our shared community priorities.

    Consultation has concluded. 

    Kitchener City Council has passed the 2021 budget, approving a financial plan that maintains existing services while delivering the lowest possible increase for homeowners. Delivering a property tax increase of 0.94 per cent, the lowest in more than a decade, is possible due to the steps the City has taken to mitigate the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a combined annual cost increase of $33 (taxes, water, gas) for the average Kitchener household, the 2021 budget continues the City’s goal of keeping property tax rate increases at or below the benchmark rate of inflation. The full budget and associated background information is available at Kitchener.ca/budget.
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