Input in the budget process

Participatory Budgeting is where the public’s input is included in Council’s budgetary discussions. Lori has advocated for this process and Council implemented it in the 2022 budget and each year since.

On July 1, 2023, Strong Mayor Powers were announced by the Province of Ontario.  Under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001, the budget process was amended to permit the Mayor to propose the annual budget subject to Council amendments, include a Mayoral veto and process for Council to override the veto.

 

Casino (OLG) Revenue:

A new agreement was signed in 2013 between the City of Niagara Falls and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). This agreement significantly increased the City’s hosting fees from the previous agreement.

Council adopted 5 key areas that OLG funds should be used for.  They are:

• • property tax relief
  • social service programs
  • capital asset and strategic projects
  • economic development initiatives
  • casino policing

It is important to ensure that Casino revenues are not budgeted until they are received.

Click here to see the History of OLG Spending.

During the pandemic, the City did not receive OLG funds because the casinos were shut down. Lori believes that we should prepare budgets without the inclusion of the OLG funds as a tax subsidy and utilize the OLG funds for other projects.  Without using the OLG funds as a tax subsidy, we must be more diligent with our spending.