Region of Waterloo 2025 budget to be decided Wednesday

A final vote on the Region of Waterloo 2025 budget is expected Wednesday.

That budget and plan will be heavily discussed all through the day, with councillors sitting down at 8:45 a.m. The final vote on the numbers is expected at the Wednesday night 7 p.m. council meeting.

There are some services up for cuts and reductions on the table, with a staff-proposed property tax increase of around 9.87 per cent for the average household, or an additional $71 dollars per year (total annual bill potentially revised to $789).

So, what could change in the community as a result?

Regional staff have proposed revisions to 22 services.

This includes a potential reduction in downtown waste collection, Grand River Transit routes, dental services, less security at encampments and supportive housing, and a potential cut to Children’s Services core funding.

Nothing has been set in stone yet.

That final vote will also include the final say on the Waterloo Regional Police Budget of around $252M.

Details on Wednesday’s discussions can be found here.