Eric Stern Budgets

Opinion: Here we go again. The City of Burlington plans to increase spending by 5.8% in the 2026 Budget

Keep 5.8% in mind. This is how the city is positioning the increase “Burlington’s portion of the overall increase would be 2.98%”. Let's call this Burlington Speak math or BS math (for short). Spending is increasing 5.8% but the “overall increase” is 2.98%, exactly how does BS math work? Well, if you assume that the … Continue reading Opinion: Here we go again. The City of Burlington plans to increase spending by 5.8% in the 2026 Budget

Eric Stern Budgets

Why are property taxes in Burlington so complicated?

Let’s start with the bill from the city. The tax bill has four components, each managed by a separate level of government or board. Code on the tax billMeaningResponsibilityM-MunicipalCity of BurlingtonMayor and councilR-RegionHalton RegionRegional Chair and councilP-PoliceHalton Police ServicesHalton Police BoardE-EdBoard of EducationProvince of Ontario Getting four bills would make everyone’s life more complicated and … Continue reading Why are property taxes in Burlington so complicated?

Eric Stern Budgets

Hamilton Councillors Revolt over 2025 Budget Process

The Bay Observer recently published two articles on the budget process in Hamilton: Five Hamilton Councillors in revolt over 2025 Budget Process Budget process in Hamilton put flaws in strong mayor legislation out for all to see The Bay Observer's Take on Strong Mayor Powers "When Doug Ford introduced the strong mayor powers he said … Continue reading Hamilton Councillors Revolt over 2025 Budget Process

Eric Stern Budgets

What will happen with a zero percent tax increase? “The sky will fall”.

Many Burlington residents are concerned with the high tax increases imposed by the current city council after the 2022 election. With the proposed 8.04% increase for 2025 taxes will have gone up 37.63% since the 2022 election. Several residents, including Lydia Thomas who delegated on this subject, say enough is enough. After a 15.59% increase … Continue reading What will happen with a zero percent tax increase? “The sky will fall”.

Eric Stern Budgets

The most per-capita EV chargers in the GTA – but …

Burlington has spent approximately $1,400,000 to install 29 EV charging stations, and the 2025 budget provides for this to increase. How effective are these EV chargers? Disclaimer: This is not an anti-EV rant or an anti-charger rant. Please comment below if you disagree with this post. This post looks at the type of chargers the … Continue reading The most per-capita EV chargers in the GTA – but …

Eric Stern Budgets

Tax Petition is presented to council “oh well”   

This is the text from a delegation I made to our city council. Good morning and thank you for your time today. The “Stop the 7​.​5% Burlington Property Tax Increase” petition has been presented to council. Twelve hundred and forty-seven people signed the petition asking for a zero percent tax increase. The multi-year forecast called … Continue reading Tax Petition is presented to council “oh well”   

Eric Stern Budgets

The Bay Observer questions how council handled the Bateman community centre.

Here's a quick history of this project. 2017 - the Board of Education considers closing two high schools in Burlington. 2020 - June 30 - Bateman High School closes. 2021 - June - The school board declared Bateman as surplus.  2021 - June 23 - Burlington issues a press release:  City of Burlington to submit … Continue reading The Bay Observer questions how council handled the Bateman community centre.