Amendments to the People’s Budget

Over the past week, members of Council have submitted several amendments to the 2026 People’s Budget.. On Monday, November 17, Council will be discussing and debating each of these proposed changes.

My responsibility as Mayor is to ensure that every decision we make protects the long-term financial health of our community — not just this year, but for years to come. We must continue to deliver a responsible, sustainable, and transparent budget for residents while avoiding short sighted decisions that jeopardize the financial stability Aurora has built over the last eight years.

Here are my thoughts on a few of these proposed amendments.

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Amendment – Councillor Gallo **Force a 0% Tax Increase by Eliminating Capital Contributions and Using Reserves**

This amendment is a vote for a massive tax hike in 2027.

It proposes we raid reserves built by past taxpayers and dump the bill on future taxpayers—all to deliver a hollow, sound-bite budget of “0%” for 2026. It’s a short-term stunt with serious long-term financial risks for the Town and our residents.

As Mayor, my responsibility is to present a budget that protects the Town’s financial future; a carefully considered fiscal plan that ensures we can meet the needs of today while planning for the future. And we have achieved that.

The Town’s proposed increase went from 2.9% to 2.2% through hard work and real efficiencies — not cuts that compromise infrastructure, fire services, or operations.

If passed, this amendment would undo years of responsible financial planning, jeopardize our long-term stability, and result in a 5–6% tax increase in 2027.

I do not support it.

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Amendment – Councillor Weese **$23,922 Pilot Project with the Aurora Farmers Market funded from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve**

The Farmers Market is a key part of our downtown culture. Supporting this pilot project is a worthwhile, modest investment that strengthens community engagement and supports local business. While I am always cautious about using stabilization reserves, the amount is small, tied to a defined pilot, and provides measurable community benefit. Exactly what thisreserve is for. I support this amendment.

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Amendment – Councillor Kim **2% Inflationary Increase for Community Partners**

I value and appreciate our community partners, but any increase must be fair and aligned with what our own Town departments are receiving. The Town’s operating increase this year is 0.6%. It would be inconsistent to provide a 2% increase externally while holding our internal operations to less. Any increase should be capped at the same 0.6%. For that reason, I do not support this amendment.

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Amendment – Councillor Weese **Pause Funding for the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame Until 2025 Audited Financials Are Received**

This amendment is unnecessary, unfair, and contrary to The Town’s own policies.

First, there is no overarching financial concern or operational issue that Council has been made aware of that warrants halting funding to the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame. This is an organization that has consistently demonstrated transparency, accountability, and a commitment to celebrating Aurora’s rich sports history. Pausing their funding without cause, and at the last minute, sends the wrong message to a volunteer-driven group that works tirelessly to honour our local athletes, coaches, and builders.

Second — and most importantly — Town policy is crystal clear: audited financial statements are only required from organizations that a) have general revenue of more than $250,000 and b) receive funding from the Town. The Hall of Fame is nowhere near that threshold. They already provide the financial reporting that is required of them, and they have done so reliably for years.

To single out this one organization and demand a higher level of reporting than we require from others is not only inconsistent — it is fundamentally unfair. Withholding funding based on such an extreme expectation is doubly so. It creates a double standard and places an unnecessary administrative (and financial burden) on a valued community partner.

Third, delaying their funding would have real, immediate impacts. It jeopardizes their ability to support inductees, deliver educational programming and events, and continue their work promoting the achievements that inspire young athletes across our community.

The Hall of Fame is part of Aurora’s identity. They preserve our history, celebrate our successes, and engage residents in meaningful ways. Suspending all funding despite their compliance with Town policy — and despite no specific evidence of concern — is neither responsible nor justified. For all of these reasons, I do not support this amendment.

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Amendment – Councillor Weese **Increase Council Budget by $4,500 for Ratepayer Association Meeting Expenses**

Supporting community engagement is important, but this amendment proposes creating a funding model that no other municipality in Ontario — that we are aware of — provides to Ratepayer Associations.

Ratepayer groups traditionally operate independently and without municipal funding to ensure neutrality, autonomy, and fairness. Introducing public funding sets a precedent that could create expectations, budget pressures, and inequities among community groups.

If Council wishes to explore support for Ratepayer Associations, it should be done through a comprehensive Town-wide policy review, not by adding ad-hoc funds to the Council budget without guidelines, accountability, or a framework. Or, individual councillors may draw down on their own Contingency Budgets to fund Ratepayers groups in their Wards. For these reasons, I do not support this amendment.

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Amendment – Councillor Gilliland **Pause Special Events LED Screen for Further Analysis**

This amendment ignores the core fact: owning the LED screen saves taxpayers money and improves our events. Right now, Movies in the Park costs $3,500 per movie (×3) — more than $10,000 a year — for a blow-up screen with a grainy image. Those rentals are already in the operating budget. But renting an LED screen for major events like Movies in the Park, community festivals, or this summer’s World Cup featuring our own Alistair Johnston, costs $7,000–$10,000 per day.

Staff’s cost analysis is clear:

• Renting would cost the Town 3–4 times more than owning.
• Rental costs hit the operating budget (tax levy) every year.
• Ownership is a one-time capital investment that lasts 5–6 years and even has 25–40% resale value.
• At 10 uses a year, renting could cost $500,000 over 5 years.

If this capital project is removed, no LED rentals are budgeted for 2026 — meaning fewer event options unless staff cut elsewhere. Ownership eliminates those rental costs entirely.

This is exactly the kind of smart, long-term investment that reduces operating costs and enhances community programming. It’s an investment that provides free access to entertainment and community viewing for Aurora residents who cannot afford individual subscriptions to watch movies and sports broadcasts. For these reasons, I do not support this amendment.

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Amendment – Councillor Gilliland **Add Capital Project for a West Aurora Off-Leash Dog Park*

While I support exploring additional recreation amenities, especially for dog owners, this amendment proposes adding a capital project without a location, without costing, and without any of the required groundwork.

We have had a number of reports come to Council, and work is already underway on exploring an off-leash dog park: we have been examining potential west-side locations for over five years, and not one viable site has been identified to date. To insert a capital project into the budget when we still don’t have land secured — or even a realistic option on the table — is premature and creates false expectations for residents.

Budgeting must follow planning, not the other way around. We first need a suitable site, community consultation, environmental review, and proper costing before any capital commitment is made. For these reasons, I do not support this amendment.

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Amendment – Councillor Gilliland **Add Funding for Consultant Required Under Mayoral Decision 2023-03**

This work has already been tendered, and the funding was identified in advance through HR’s existing budget. The Town cannot issue a tender without approved funds already in place. Therefore, this amendment is moot. There is nothing additional for Council to approve and no basis for altering the budget. I do not support this amendment as it is moot

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Closing Statement

Aurora has built a strong financial foundation over the past eight years—through discipline, transparency, and practical decision-making. As a result, we’ve consistently maintained one of the lowest tax rates in the GTHA.

As your Mayor, I will continue to put people before politics. I will champion budgets that reflect your priorities, safeguard our progress, and ensure Aurora remains a vibrant, thriving community—today and for generations to come. #LeadershipThatGetsThnigsDone