Thanks for your interest in Kitchener's 2025 Budget.
The 2025 Budget Themes Are:
Delivering City Services
Investing In Infrastructure
Advancing Strategic Priorities
For the average home in Kitchener, the proposed rate increases for the 2025 budget are:
Property Taxes: 3.9% or $49 annually
Water Utility: 4.9% or $23 annually
Sanitary Sewer Utility: 6.9% or $41 annually
Stormwater Utility: 7.4% or $18 annually
Our 2025 budget represents a combined annual increase of $131 for the average household, based on the average assessed value of $326,000 and annual water consumption of 170m3.
The 2025 Budget Summary Can Be Read HERE
Kitchener's 2025 Budget Information Page is HERE
In 2023, the Province passed the Strong Mayors Act. Before that, City Finance staff would propose a budget and present it to Council for debate and approval. Now, the Mayor proposes the budget which could be automatically adopted after 30 days unless amended by Council. Mayor Vrbanovic is committed to working collaboratively with council in creating our budget. Like he did for the 2024 budget, He has a timetable for the 2025 budget that follows the Strong Mayors legislation, and fits the City’s traditional budget calendar, allows Council debate and participation and sees Kitchener’s budget passed before the end of the year.
This has changed the way the budget process works. For the details on how, click HERE
The 2025 Budget Themes Are:
Delivering City Services
Investing In Infrastructure
Advancing Strategic Priorities
For the average home in Kitchener, the proposed rate increases for the 2025 budget are:
Property Taxes: 3.9% or $49 annually
Water Utility: 4.9% or $23 annually
Sanitary Sewer Utility: 6.9% or $41 annually
Stormwater Utility: 7.4% or $18 annually
Our 2025 budget represents a combined annual increase of $131 for the average household, based on the average assessed value of $326,000 and annual water consumption of 170m3.
The 2025 Budget Summary Can Be Read HERE
Kitchener's 2025 Budget Information Page is HERE
In 2023, the Province passed the Strong Mayors Act. Before that, City Finance staff would propose a budget and present it to Council for debate and approval. Now, the Mayor proposes the budget which could be automatically adopted after 30 days unless amended by Council. Mayor Vrbanovic is committed to working collaboratively with council in creating our budget. Like he did for the 2024 budget, He has a timetable for the 2025 budget that follows the Strong Mayors legislation, and fits the City’s traditional budget calendar, allows Council debate and participation and sees Kitchener’s budget passed before the end of the year.
This has changed the way the budget process works. For the details on how, click HERE
See How Kitchener's Tax Levy Compares To Other Municipalities In The Image Below
KEY BUDGET DATES
November 15 - Staff Tables Draft Budget
November 19 - Committee Meeting – Operating Budget - Agenda & Watch Link HERE
OPERATING BUDGET DAY PRESENTATION - HERE
November 25 - Committee Meeting – Capital Budget - Agenda & Watch Link HERE
CAPITAL BUDGET DAY PRESENTATION - HERE
See Kitchener's Current Capital Projects HERE
NOVEMBER 25 - PUBLIC INPUT NIGHT - 7PM - DELEGATION DETAILS HERE
DECEMBER 2 - Mayor Proposes Budget
MAYOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET REPORT
MAYOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET MESSAGE
2025 BUDGET RESOLUTION
2025 BUDGET WITH APPENDICES
December 9 - Council Provides Proposed Amendments in writing to Clerks*
December 12 - Council Votes on Amendments
December 12 - Mayor Decides On Amendments via Veto*
December 27 - Budget Adopted Automatic
November 19 - Committee Meeting – Operating Budget - Agenda & Watch Link HERE
OPERATING BUDGET DAY PRESENTATION - HERE
November 25 - Committee Meeting – Capital Budget - Agenda & Watch Link HERE
CAPITAL BUDGET DAY PRESENTATION - HERE
See Kitchener's Current Capital Projects HERE
NOVEMBER 25 - PUBLIC INPUT NIGHT - 7PM - DELEGATION DETAILS HERE
DECEMBER 2 - Mayor Proposes Budget
MAYOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET REPORT
MAYOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET MESSAGE
2025 BUDGET RESOLUTION
2025 BUDGET WITH APPENDICES
December 9 - Council Provides Proposed Amendments in writing to Clerks*
December 12 - Council Votes on Amendments
December 12 - Mayor Decides On Amendments via Veto*
December 27 - Budget Adopted Automatic
ONLINE BUDGET SURVEY
How are we doing advancing the priorities of our Strategic Plan?
Building a Connected City Together
Cultivating a Green City Together
Creating an Economically-Thriving City Together
Fostering a Caring City Together
Stewarding a Better City Together
Do The 7 Minute Survey HERE
Share Your Thoughts With All Council Members On The 2025 Budget HERE
How are we doing advancing the priorities of our Strategic Plan?
Building a Connected City Together
Cultivating a Green City Together
Creating an Economically-Thriving City Together
Fostering a Caring City Together
Stewarding a Better City Together
Do The 7 Minute Survey HERE
Share Your Thoughts With All Council Members On The 2025 Budget HERE
Click On The Boxes Below For These Specific Budget Sections
THERE ARE 3 COMPONENTS TO YOUR TAX BILL
Kitchener Collects The Taxes For The City, Region Of Waterloo & School Boards.
Each Set Their Own Budget
The Tax Bill You Receive Contains All 3 Portion Amounts
When You Receive Your Tax Bill What It Includes Is Listed Below
Kitchener Council ONLY Controls Kitchener's Budget
Kitchener Collects The Taxes For The City, Region Of Waterloo & School Boards.
Each Set Their Own Budget
The Tax Bill You Receive Contains All 3 Portion Amounts
When You Receive Your Tax Bill What It Includes Is Listed Below
Kitchener Council ONLY Controls Kitchener's Budget
Municipal Taxes - Kitchener's Share - 30%
Municipal taxes pay for services that make Kitchener a great place to live, work and play.
The tax rate to cover the costs of supplying Kitchener's services is based on city council's adoption of our annual budget. Revenues from provincial grants, user fees and other sources are deducted from the total expenditures.
The final amount needs to be raised through taxation.
Kitchener's portion of your tax bill is 31%
Regional Taxes - 58%
These taxes are based on the tax rate adopted by the Region of Waterloo.
This portion is remitted to the Region to support their role in supplying various services including public transit, waste management, policing, housing and shelter and public health and emergency services.
The Region's portion of your tax bill is 55%
The Region Of Waterloo's 2025 Budget information is HERE
Education Taxes - 12%
This tax rate is set by the Province of Ontario and remitted to the local school board you support.
The School Board portion of your tax bill is 14%
Understanding Your City Of Kitchener Tax Bill Information HERE
The Image Below Illustrates Your Tax Bill Breakdown
Municipal taxes pay for services that make Kitchener a great place to live, work and play.
The tax rate to cover the costs of supplying Kitchener's services is based on city council's adoption of our annual budget. Revenues from provincial grants, user fees and other sources are deducted from the total expenditures.
The final amount needs to be raised through taxation.
Kitchener's portion of your tax bill is 31%
Regional Taxes - 58%
These taxes are based on the tax rate adopted by the Region of Waterloo.
This portion is remitted to the Region to support their role in supplying various services including public transit, waste management, policing, housing and shelter and public health and emergency services.
The Region's portion of your tax bill is 55%
The Region Of Waterloo's 2025 Budget information is HERE
Education Taxes - 12%
This tax rate is set by the Province of Ontario and remitted to the local school board you support.
The School Board portion of your tax bill is 14%
Understanding Your City Of Kitchener Tax Bill Information HERE
The Image Below Illustrates Your Tax Bill Breakdown
The Consumer Price Index and the Rate Of Inflation
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is one of the most widely used measures of inflation. There are 8 components in the CPI basket that represent the changes in prices paid by Canadian consumers. Those components are the costs for Food, Shelter, Household Operations, Furnishings & Equipment, Clothing and Footwear, Transportation, Health & Personal Care, Recreation, Education & Reading, and Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco Products & Cannabis.
City Budget increase percentages are often compared to the rate of inflation. Because the rate of inflation can fluctuate greatly between some years, the City Of Kitchener uses an average rate of inflation percentage from the past 2 years to establish the base rate to judge our budget increases against. To be clear though, much of what the city needs to purchase to run the services we provide for citizens are much different than the 8 components that make up the consumer price index and rate of inflation. Learn about the Consumer Price Index HERE
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is one of the most widely used measures of inflation. There are 8 components in the CPI basket that represent the changes in prices paid by Canadian consumers. Those components are the costs for Food, Shelter, Household Operations, Furnishings & Equipment, Clothing and Footwear, Transportation, Health & Personal Care, Recreation, Education & Reading, and Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco Products & Cannabis.
City Budget increase percentages are often compared to the rate of inflation. Because the rate of inflation can fluctuate greatly between some years, the City Of Kitchener uses an average rate of inflation percentage from the past 2 years to establish the base rate to judge our budget increases against. To be clear though, much of what the city needs to purchase to run the services we provide for citizens are much different than the 8 components that make up the consumer price index and rate of inflation. Learn about the Consumer Price Index HERE
You can share your ideas, thoughts, concerns and suggestions for the 2025 Budget
My email is [email protected]
To email all members of council at the same time, use the form located HERE
You can mail council at
Office of the Mayor and Council
Kitchener City Hall
200 King St. W.
Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
My email is [email protected]
To email all members of council at the same time, use the form located HERE
You can mail council at
Office of the Mayor and Council
Kitchener City Hall
200 King St. W.
Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
For a Summary Of Past Budgets from 2015 to 2024, click HERE