The Niagara Region is nearing the conclusion of a months-long budget process, with plans for the 2025 fiscal year set to be finalized soon. If no significant changes are made, residents will see a 9.77% increase in the regional portion of their property tax bills. This figure reflects reductions made by council to avoid an even steeper hike, which had been projected to exceed 10%. Further minor adjustments may still be possible, depending on how council’s directive to revisit $4.6 million in program changes is applied. Currently, the 2025 general levy stands at nearly $538 million.
One key reduction in the proposed budget came from adjustments to provincial legislation. The Ontario Government’s new Bill 185 reversed exemptions on development charges that were introduced under Bill 23, leading to a 1.55% ($7.5 million) decrease in the budget.
Despite the focus on cost-cutting, several new positions were approved, including a debt analyst to modernize the finance department, two transportation engineering project managers, and an IT security compliance and risk specialist. Additionally, a proposal by St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe allocated $128,000 for a Welcome Streets pilot project. This peer-to-peer outreach initiative aims to address challenges related to homelessness, drug addiction, and mental health in St. Catharines, with the hope of reducing the reliance on policing services and eventually lowering taxes. Siscoe noted the success of similar programs in other cities like Belleville and Ottawa.
One of the most contentious issues was the Niagara Regional Police Service’s request for a 13.18% increase to its $213 million budget. Despite council’s request for a $1.076 million reduction, the Police Services Board declined to make further cuts. Regional Chair Jim Bradley and others expressed disappointment, questioning the necessity of roles such as graphic design and social media management during a challenging fiscal period.
Fort Erie Councillor Tom Insinna, a retired RCMP officer, proposed a motion to cut nearly $4 million from the police budget, likening the current approach to opting for a luxury vehicle rather than a more practical choice in tough economic times.
