The City of Mississauga’s 2025 budget process has been a focal point for municipal priorities, balancing increased service demands and rising costs. Alongside this, the Region of Peel’s budget adds another layer of financial considerations for Mississauga residents, including key regional services such as policing, waste management, and infrastructure maintenance.

The budget process begins with City staff preparing a draft budget under the direction of the Mayor, as per Ontario’s new “strong mayor” system. Once proposed, City Council has 30 days to suggest amendments, which can be vetoed by the Mayor. A two-thirds majority of Council is then required to override any veto.

At the Region of Peel level, decisions about regional services like water, wastewater, and paramedics are made, impacting Mississauga’s share of costs. Together, these municipal and regional budgets determine the overall property tax impact on residents.

Budget increases come from three main sources:

1. Maintaining Service Levels: Rising costs due to inflation, wages, and other factors while sustaining current services.
2. Increased Demand: Growing demand for existing services, such as transit as the city evolves.
3. New Programs: Introducing new initiatives or expanding services beyond current levels.

Councillor Horneck supported investments to address increased demands, particularly in areas like transit, where ridership and service needs have grown. However, he expressed significant concern about new program spending, which adds long-term financial commitments.

For 2025, Mississauga’s approved budget includes significant investments in service expansions, infrastructure, and community programs. These commitments, however, come with a planned residential property tax hike of 3.3%, excluding additional costs from Peel Region.

Councillor Horneck has been vocal in his opposition to much of the $10.6 million in new spending approved for 2025. His concerns center around the long-term implications of these commitments, as ongoing expenses will escalate to over $20 million annually by 2026. He proposed a series of cost-saving measures that, if adopted, would have reduced the budget by approximately 0.5%, providing some relief to taxpayers while maintaining core services. However, these proposals did not receive sufficient support to pass.

While Councillor Horneck voted against many of the spending increases, he acknowledges the will of Council and will work with his colleagues and staff to successfully implement the programs and services presented in the budget. He remains committed to being a voice for fiscal prudence as the City manages its growth and financial sustainability.

Horneck’s stance reflects a broader concern about fiscal sustainability, as the City faces rising costs for services like winter maintenance, snow clearing, and transit operations, alongside pressure to meet housing and infrastructure needs.

You can read more about the positions of Councillor Horneck and other members of Council in media articles by The Pointer and The Mississauga News.

The Region of Peel’s proposed 2025 budget includes a 6% regional tax increase driven primarily by increased costs for regional services and a 23% increase in the Peel police budget. This proposed police budget includes $144 million in new operational spending to hire 300 additional officers and support staff.

Mississauga currently funds 62% of Peel police services, despite Brampton having an approximately equal share of the population and police calls. Councillor Horneck, alongside other Mississauga council members, has advocated for limiting this police budget increase, citing concerns over affordability and fiscal responsibility.

At a recent Peel Council meeting, a motion led by Councillor Horneck and others narrowly passed to send the police budget back for reconsideration, reflecting a desire to explore potential cost savings. The vote highlighted tensions between the need for public safety investments and the financial burden on Mississauga taxpayers.

The approved 2025 budget reflects a balancing act between growing service needs and affordability. While Councillor Horneck’s efforts aimed to curb spending growth, the overall increase underscores the challenge of managing rising costs in one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed about future budget deliberations, as decisions made today will influence the City’s financial trajectory in the coming years. For more details, the full budget documents are available on the City of Mississauga’s website.