In accordance with Section 284.16 of the Municipal Act (the Act), City Council may vote to amend the proposed 2024-2027 Multi-year Budget noted below. The 2024-2027 Multi-year Budget will be deemed adopted following the process of amendment, veto and override described in the Act. Accordingly, no mover or seconder is required to bring the proposed 2024-2027 Multi-year budget forward for debate.
- A 2024 operating budget with a gross expenditure budget of $556,280,013 with a 2024 property tax and payment-in-lieu of taxes levy requirement of $329,828,159 or 10.32 per cent over 2023 inclusive of the following:
- City service budget requirement, net of the proportionate share of assessment growth, totalling an increased net levy requirement in 2024 of $14,700,752 or 4.97 per cent.
- Local Boards and Shared Services budget requirement, net of the proportionate share of assessment growth, totalling an increased net levy requirement in 2024 of $5,872,283 or 1.98 per cent.
- A Provincial housing, homelessness, and hospital budget requirement, totalling an increased net levy requirement in 2024 of $9,969,945 or 3.37 per cent.
- 2024 user fees, rates, and charges.
- A 2024 capital budget in the gross expenditure amount of $208,666,722, inclusive of funding transfers from capital reserve funds and other sources including partnerships, grants, and debt financing.
- A 2025 operating budget with a gross expenditure budget of $599,947,552 with a 2025 property tax and payment-in-lieu of taxes levy requirement of $364,197,218 or 9.38 per cent over 2024 inclusive of the following:
- City service budget requirement, net of the proportionate share of assessment growth, totalling an increased net levy requirement in 2025 of $21,136,498 or 6.41 per cent.
- Local boards and shared services budget requirement, net of the proportionate share of assessment growth, totalling an increased net levy requirement in 2025 of $6,399,367 or 1.94 per cent.
- A Provincial housing, homelessness, and hospital budget requirement, totalling an increased net levy requirement in 2025 of $3,040,170 or 1.03 per cent.
- 2025 user fees, rates, and charges.
- A 2025 capital budget in the gross expenditure amount of $234,129,280, inclusive of funding transfers from capital reserve funds and other sources including partnerships, grants, and debt financing.
- A 2026 operating budget with a gross expenditure budget of $647,249,988 with a 2026 property tax and payment-in-lieu of taxes levy requirement of $399,946,642 or 8.67 per cent over 2025 inclusive of the following:
- City service budget requirement, net of the proportionate share of assessment growth, totalling an increased net levy requirement in 2026 of $22,069,306 or 6.06 per cent.
- Local boards and shared services budget requirement, net of the proportionate share of assessment growth, totalling an increased net levy requirement in 2026 of $8,018,181 or 2.20 per cent.
- A Provincial housing, homelessness, and hospital budget requirement, totalling an increased net levy requirement in 2026 of $1,473,670 or 0.40 per cent.
- 2026 user fees, rates, and charges.
- A 2026 capital budget in the gross expenditure amount of $338,394,567, inclusive of funding transfers from capital reserve funds and other sources including partnerships, grants, and debt financing.
- A 2027 operating budget with a gross expenditure budget of $688,808,424 with a 2027 property tax and payment-in-lieu of taxes levy requirement of $431,233,766 or 6.67 per cent over 2026 inclusive of the following:
- City service budget requirement, net of the proportionate share of assessment growth, totalling an increased net levy requirement in 2027 of $19,355,854 or 4.84 per cent.
- Local boards and shared services budget requirement, net of the proportionate share of assessment growth, totalling an increased net levy requirement in 2027 of $6,635,252 or 1.66 per cent.
- A Provincial housing, homelessness, and hospital budget requirement, totalling an increased net levy requirement in $696,630 or 0.17 per cent.
- 2027 user fees, rates, and charges.
- A 2027 capital budget in the gross expenditure amount of $482,381,206, inclusive of funding transfers from capital reserve funds and other sources including partnerships, grants, and debt financing.
- A 2028-2033 Capital forecast in the gross amount of $1,918,985,045.
First Motion
Moved ByCouncillor Gibson
Seconded ByCouncillor Klassen
- That Council amend Guelph’s 2024 – 2027 operating budget by reducing 2024 by $1,005,300 for the County of Wellington’s revised budget submission relating to the housing and homelessness plan.
| Voting in Favour: (13) | Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew |
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Carried (13 to 0)
Second Motion
- That Council amend Guelph’s 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing 2024 by $236,706 to reflect the impact of additional assessment growth revenue.
| Voting in Favour: (13) | Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew |
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Carried (13 to 0)
Third Motion
Moved ByCouncillor Goller
Seconded ByCouncillor Gibson
- That Council amend Guelph’s 2024-2027 operating budget by increasing 2024, one-time, by $43,335 and increasing 2025, one-time by $43,335, to provide a grant to the Guelph-Wellington Ontario Health Team for physician recruitment, subject to the receipt of the corresponding contributions for this initiative from the County of Wellington, and Guelph Chamber of Commerce, funded through the tax levy.
Amendment to the Third Motion
Moved ByCouncillor O'Rourke
Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
- That Council amend Guelph’s 2024-2027 operating budget by increasing 2024, one-time, by $43,335 and increasing 2025, one-time by $43,335, to provide a grant to the Guelph-Wellington Ontario Health Team for physician recruitment, subject to the receipt of the corresponding contributions for this initiative from the County of Wellington, and Guelph Chamber of Commerce, funded through the Tax Operating Contingency Reserve.
| Voting in Favour: (13) | Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew |
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Carried (13 to 0)
Third Motion as Amended
Moved ByCouncillor Goller
Seconded ByCouncillor Gibson
- That Council amend Guelph’s 2024-2027 operating budget by increasing 2024, one-time, by $43,335 and increasing 2025, one-time by $43,335, to provide a grant to the Guelph-Wellington Ontario Health Team for physician recruitment, subject to the receipt of the corresponding contributions for this initiative from the County of Wellington, and Guelph Chamber of Commerce, funded through the Tax Operating Contingency Reserve.
| Voting in Favour: (13) | Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew |
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Carried (13 to 0)
Fourth Motion
Moved ByCouncillor Goller
Seconded ByCouncillor Klassen
- That Council amend Guelph's 2024-2027 operating budget by increasing 2024 by $1,000,000 for the Affordable Housing Reserve (increase from 500k to $1.5M) funded by the Tax Base.
| Voting in Favour: (3) | Councillor Goller, Councillor Caton, and Councillor Klassen |
| Voting Against: (10) | Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew |
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Defeated (3 to 10)
Fifth Motion
Moved ByCouncillor O'Rourke
Seconded ByCouncillor Allt
- That Council amend the 2024 – 2027 operating budget by increasing each of 2024 to 2027 by $50,000 for the completion of at least two value-for-money reviews each year funded by the efficiency, innovation and opportunity reserve fund (#351); AND that staff be directed to bring a proposed terms of reference to the audit committee no later than Q1 2024.
| Voting in Favour: (13) | Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew |
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Carried (13 to 0)
Sixth Motion
Moved ByCouncillor Gibson
Seconded ByCouncillor O'Rourke
- That Council amend Guelph's 2024-2027 operating budget by amending the following net amounts (compensation reduction offset by reduction in revenues and reserve transfers) to reflect a phased-in approach of budgeting 50 per cent of permanent staffing resources in year one and the remaining 50 per cent in the second year:
- 2024 decrease of $2,413,217
- 2025 increase of $60,493
- 2026 decrease of $2,083,350
- 2027 increase of $1,806,113
- 2028 increase of $2,972,050
| Voting in Favour: (13) | Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew |
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Carried (13 to 0)
Seventh Motion
Moved ByCouncillor Gibson
Seconded ByCouncillor Billings
- That Council amend Guelph's 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing the 2024 Library budget by $257,111 and increasing the 2025 Library budget by $257,111. Furthermore, the 2026 Library budget be reduced by $331,200 and 2027 increased by $331,200 as a result of the City phase in of corporate building maintenance positions for the new Library.
| Voting in Favour: (9) | Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew |
| Voting Against: (4) | Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, and Councillor Klassen |
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Carried (9 to 4)
Eighth Motion
Moved ByCouncillor Downer
Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
- That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by increasing 2024 by $100,000 funded from the tax supported operating contingency reserve to provide any necessary health and safety supports as part of the actioning of the October 17th, 2023 motion, calling on the County of Wellington to form and lead an integrated team approach to undertake regular wellness checks on any existing or new unstructured encampments with the City of Guelph. The disbursement of funds shall be done following recommendations from the County of Wellington and under the delegated authority of the DCAO of Public Services, and that a report on how these funds were used be provided to City Council by the County of Wellington no later than June 2024.
| Voting in Favour: (13) | Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew |
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Carried (13 to 0)
Ninth Motion
Moved ByCouncillor O'Rourke
Seconded ByCouncillor Gibson
- That Council amend Guelph’s capital budget for project TC0072 – Digital Signs (ICIP-GUE-06) by:
- Deferring 2024 operating impacts of $257,600 to 2025
- Eliminating the 2025 capital budget of $600,000 and eliminating the 2025 operating impacts of $134,500
- Eliminating the 2026 capital budget of $600,000 and eliminating the 2026 operating impacts of $234,500
- Eliminating the 2027 capital budget of $600,000
- Eliminating the 2028 to 2031 capital forecast of $1,250,000 each year and eliminating the 2029 operating impacts of $300,000
| Voting in Favour: (8) | Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew |
| Voting Against: (5) | Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, and Councillor Klassen |
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Carried (8 to 5)
Tenth Motion
Moved ByCouncillor Billings
Seconded ByCouncillor Gibson
- That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing 2024 by $49,500 for budget request 1351 Mayor and Council training.
Amendment to the Tenth Motion
Moved ByCouncillor O'Rourke
Seconded ByCouncillor Gibson
- That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing 2024 by $25,000 for budget request 1351 Mayor and Council training.
| Voting in Favour: (9) | Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew |
| Voting Against: (4) | Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Caron, and Councillor Klassen |
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Carried (9 to 4)
Tenth Motion as Amended
Moved ByCouncillor Billings
Seconded ByCouncillor Gibson
- That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing 2024 by $25,000 for budget request 1351 Mayor and Council training.
| Voting in Favour: (9) | Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew |
| Voting Against: (4) | Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Caron, and Councillor Klassen |
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Carried (9 to 4)
Councillor Goller raised a point or order. Councillor Goller requested he be able to bring forward a motion. Mayor Guthrie ruled that Councillor Goller could introduce his motion.
Eleventh Motion
Moved ByCouncillor Goller
Seconded ByCouncillor Gibson
- That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing 2024 by $750,000 for the removal of plan request 001185 Guelph General Hospital Transfer, and increasing the 2025 operating budget by $750,000 for the addition of plan request 001185 Guelph General Hospital Transfer, resulting in the final three payments to the hospital in 2025 to 2027.
| Voting in Favour: (2) | Councillor Goller, and Councillor Chew |
| Voting Against: (11) | Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Busuttil |
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Defeated (2 to 11)
Twelfth Motion
Moved ByCouncillor Billings
Seconded ByCouncillor Gibson
- That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by transferring $750,000 of funding from the tax rate contingency reserve to fund the 2024 installment to the Guelph General Hospital.
| Voting in Favour: (10) | Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew |
| Voting Against: (3) | Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, and Councillor Caron |
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Carried (10 to 3)
Thirteenth Motion
Moved ByCouncillor Caton
Seconded ByCouncillor Allt
- That an amount up to $10,000 be allocated from the Tax Operating Contingency Reserve to fund further investigation of resources required, and costs associated with the creation of a financial needs-based application program for waived penalties and the suspension of interest on unpaid amounts of property taxes to reduce burdens on low-income homeowners during 2024-2027 multiyear budget cycle and to report back to council prior to the end of Q2 of 2024.
| Voting in Favour: (13) | Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew |
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Carried (13 to 0)
Fourteenth Motion
Moved ByCouncillor O'Rourke
Seconded ByCouncillor Richardson
- That Council amend Guelph’s 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing 2024 by $400,000 for the transfer to the Affordable Housing Reserve #119.
Councillor O'Rourke raised a point of personal privilege. Councillor O'Rourke noted they took exception to the mischaracterization of their comments.
Councillor Allt raised a point of personal privilege. Councillor Allt apologized and restated their comments with additional explanation.
| Voting in Favour: (7) | Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Gibson, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew |
| Voting Against: (6) | Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, and Councillor Klassen |
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Carried (7 to 6)
Council recessed. (11:57 a.m.)
Council reconvened. (12:31 p.m.)
Fifteenth Motion
Moved ByCouncillor Goller
Seconded ByCouncillor Gibson
- That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing 2025 by $88,020, reducing 2026 by $163,150, and reducing 2027 by $65,023 from plan request 001166 – Guelph Bi-centennial Enhancement Events, leaving a total combined project budget of $250,000 over the three years, funded from the tax operating contingency reserve.
Councillor O'Rourke raised a point of order. Councillor O'Rourke asked for Councillor Goller to reclarify their earlier statement. Mayor Guthrie requested Council keep their comments focused towards the items at hand and then continued with the discussion.
| Voting in Favour: (2) | Councillor Gibson, and Councillor Goller |
| Voting Against: (11) | Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew |
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Defeated (2 to 11)
Sixteenth Motion
Moved ByCouncillor Goller
Seconded ByCouncillor Gibson
- That Council amend the 2024-2027 operating budget by reducing 2025 by $24,020, reducing 2026 by $154,900, and reducing 2027 by $73,523 from plan request 001166 – Guelph Bi-centennial Enhancement Events, leaving a total combined project budget of $450,000 over the three years, funded from the tax operating contingency reserve, with any adjustments required to the operating budget and funding strategy to be made through the 2025 or 2026 budget confirmations.
| Voting in Favour: (6) | Councillor Gibson, Councillor Goller, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew |
| Voting Against: (7) | Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, and Councillor Busuttil |
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Defeated (6 to 7)
Seventeenth Motion
Moved ByCouncillor O'Rourke
Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
- That Council amend Guelph’s 2024-2027 multi-year budget by:
- Reducing the 2024 operating impact for TC0079 – Route Review – Year 3 (ICIP-GUE-01) replaced TC0064-010 by $134,800.
- Reducing the 2024 capital budget for project TC0064-011 – Route Review Year 4 by $1,377,000 and reducing the 2025 operating impact by $280,300.
- Reducing the 2025 capital budget for project TC0064-012 – Route Review Year 5 by $2,810,000 and reducing the 2026 operating impact by $206,400.
- Reducing the 2026 capital budget for project TC0064-013 – Route Review Year 6 by $2,866,000 and reducing the 2027 operating impact by $824,200.
- Reducing the 2027 capital budget for project TC0064-014 – Route Review Year 7 by $2,924,000 and reducing the 2028 operating impact by $1,208,800.
The motion was withdrawn by the mover and seconder.