City of Burlington 2018 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission burlington.ca
The City of Burlington s 2018 Pre-Budget Submission The City of Burlington is pleased to submit comments as part of the Province of Ontario s 2018 pre-budget consultation. The City of Burlington is at a unique time in its history. With very little greenfield left for the development of suburban-type neighbourhoods, the city can no longer grow out. Currently there is only land available to build approximately 500 to 800 additional single-detached homes in the city. The city will focus intensification and growth in key areas within the city - Mobility Hubs, the areas around GO Stations and the downtown. Through the Official Plan process the city is addressing how to accommodate future population and job growth. This process also includes planning the city s transportation and transit networks to better serve a growing community. Making the decision to grown within our urban area gives the City of Burlington the opportunity to plan the type of growth it wants over the next 25 years, in the areas of the city where we want to target growth and those areas where we do not want to see additional growth. It also enables the city to protect the rural, agricultural and natural greenbelt areas that we all value. 2
Key Strategic Directions Our vision has been articulated in the city s Strategic Plan, which was approved by City Council in April 2016. The strategic plan includes four strategic directions: A City that Grows >> The City of Burlington attracts talent, good jobs and economic opportunity while having achieved intensification and a balanced, targeted population growth for youth, families, newcomers and seniors. A City that Moves >> People and goods move through the city more efficiently and safely. A variety of convenient, affordable and green forms of transportation that align with regional patterns are the norm. Walkability within new/transitioning neighbourhoods and the downtown are a reality. A Healthy and Greener City >>The City of Burlington is a leader in the stewardship of the environment while encouraging healthy lifestyles. An Engaging City >> Community members are engaged, empowered, welcomed and well-served by their city. Culture and community activities thrive, creating a positive sense of place, inclusivity and community. In order for the City of Burlington to successfully implement these strategic directions over the coming decades, we will need the continuing support of the Provincial government. In this submission, we have identified a number of opportunities where the City of Burlington could benefit from Provincial government support. 3
City of Burlington Requests: Infrastructure Funding Well planned and maintained public infrastructure is vital to the effective and efficient delivery of municipal services. The City of Burlington has developed a comprehensive Asset Management Plan that will guide the city in making planned investments in our existing infrastructure as well as being prepared for future infrastructure growth. However, the main source of revenue for Burlington, along with all municipalities in Ontario, is property taxes, which cannot keep pace with the pressures of running programs and services and building and maintaining local infrastructure. Municipalities not only have to deal with aging infrastructure, they must also address the growing impacts climate change has on infrastructure. In the summer of 2014 when two months of rain, 191 millimeters, fell in eight hours, Burlington saw first-hand the havoc that climate change can have on a community. As a result of this storm, $20.4 million of stormwater infrastructure improvements and upgrades were identified. The City of Burlington has over $2.5 billion in capital assets and an unfunded renewal need of approximately $126.5 million and a long-term (60-year) annual reinvestment need that averages approximately $67.5 million. The City of Burlington has benefited from infrastructure funding provided by the Provincial government and we are grateful for those investments. Predictable, stable and long-term Provincial infrastructure funding would also allow us to make investments in needed areas and to deliver our services more efficiently, broadly and in a sustainable manner. We also urge the Province to maintain its share of the Public Transit Infrastructure Funding program, regardless of higher Federal contributions. Transit and Active Transportation Over the past 30 years, Burlington s transportation network has accommodated growth by building more roadways. This strategy is no longer sustainable. The city does not have the space to build new roadways and the financial cost to maintain a larger network of roads is significant. A 21st century city is built around a different transportation model, one designed to provide people of all ages and abilities with more travel choices for things like walking, cycling and transit. Burlington is extremely grateful for the investments already made in transit by both the Provincial and Federal governments and we look forward to the continuation of these important investments. Continued investments in Burlington Transit are required in order for the city to make the necessary improvements to the system that will result in a transit network that is reliable and offers more frequent transit service. Cycling Infrastructure Part of improving the city s cycling infrastructure is connections: throughout the city and to neighbouring municipalities. In Burlington, the QEW is seen as a barrier to cycling. As we move forward with our plans to provide improved facilities and safety for cyclists, we ask the Province to continue their investments in cycling infrastructure. Additional capital dollars will allow us to fully implement segregated and protected bike lanes along our major arterial roads providing greater commuter connections and also allowing us to connect the north and south parts of the city. More safe and convenient travel options for our residents, including cycling infrastructure, not only means fewer cars on the road it also means reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Investments in transit and active transportation create many opportunities for success. 4
Financial and Administrative Tools Through the Places to Grow Act and initiatives, the Province has identified where and how growth should occur within a region. Within the Greater Golden Horseshoe, Burlington has been leading the way in managing urban sprawl. As we move closer to build-out, we will continue to intensify and manage growth in a responsible and measured manner. However, in order to ensure we are supporting this growth, we call on the Province to provide all municipalities with additional revenue tools. The implementation of new provincial policies and legislation such as Bill 148, The Fair Workplace, Better Jobs Act, 2018 and the legalization of recreation cannabis, put additional financial pressures on municipalities throughout the province. Municipalities are being asked to do more with less. This is not sustainable. We urge the Province to share the proceeds of the excise tax from the sale of cannabis with municipalities to assist with the increased local costs associated with this new legislation. Growth-Related Supports Economic Development Promoting economic growth is part of realizing the vision set out in our Strategic Plan. We support the government s plan of creating fairness and opportunity for people across the province. We hope our community can benefit from Provincial investments in our local economy and infrastructure that will result in creating more jobs and opportunities in Burlington. The city, Halton Region and MTO are working together on a study to determine the development potential for the employment lands adjacent to the QEW corridor. We look forward to the Province s support of the recommendations coming out of this study. Interest Arbitration Like other municipalities in the Province, Burlington continues to feel the budget impacts of an arbitrated Fire settlement. We support AMO s effort on this issue and believe that the Province must ensure that decisions are completed in an efficient manner, are more accountable and transparent, and more attention is given to a municipality s capacity to pay. 5
Burlington s Requests: Predictable, stable and long-term infrastructure funding. The Province maintains its share of the Public Transit Infrastructure Funding program, regardless of higher Federal contributions. Provincial proceeds of the excise tax from the sale of cannabis are shared with municipalities to assist with the increased local costs associated with this new legislation. Continued investments in Burlington Transit to make the necessary improvements to the system that will result in a transit network that is reliable and offers more frequent transit service. Additional revenue tools for all municipalities. Interest arbitration decisions are completed in an efficient manner, are accountable and transparent, and more attention is given to a municipality s capacity to pay. Provincial investments in our local economy and infrastructure to create more jobs and opportunities in Burlington. Provincial support of the recommendations resulting from the QEW employment lands study. Additional capital investments in cycling infrastructure to allow the city to fully implement segregated and protected bike lanes along our major arterial roads providing greater commuter connections and also allowing us to connect the north and south parts of the city.