Open your wallets: City looking at potential 6.94% tax increase

NEWSLETTER
CITY OF ORILLIA
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The Orillia council will begin 2025 budget discussions next week and is preparing for a higher-than-usual tax increase driven by rising foreign costs.

“We are facing significant cost increases from legal service contracts beyond our control, particularly with the OPP and Simcoe County,” Mayor Don McIsaac said.

“I want to thank city staff for their hard work in identifying operating efficiencies to reduce the city’s portion of the tax levy. Despite these efforts, we are now facing a significant overall increase that is putting real pressure on all taxpayers. “This will be a difficult budget as we try to balance these pressures and their impact on our society.”

The presented draft 2025 operating budget consists of a net tax increase of 6.94 percent. A significant portion of the tax levy increase comes from outside service contracts, including to the Ontario Provincial Police and Simcoe County, which together amount to a 5.04 per cent increase in the draft budget.

City staff worked to find efficiencies in city-operated services, showing a 1.9 percent increase. This reduces the city’s operating financing requirements while maintaining service levels, meeting regulatory requirements, and increasing reserve contributions to support infrastructure.

“Our team has worked diligently to deliver savings and efficiencies across city services, helping to keep the city’s operating costs as low as possible despite increasing pressures,” said chief administrative officer Gayle Jackson. “However, with significant external cost increases for emergency services and social services, we face challenges that go beyond what internal efficiency alone can solve. “These budget discussions will be crucial in determining how we manage these costs while continuing to provide high-quality services to our residents.”

Community feedback collected through recent budget engagement opportunities has been taken into account in shaping the city’s priorities; Residents highlighted emergency services, infrastructure and social services as priorities. This feedback will also be taken into account by the council during budget discussions. Residents are encouraged to continue participating in the budget process by attending meetings, reviewing agendas, and connecting with council members.

Deliberations will take place in the council chamber in Downtown Orillia (50 Andrew St. S.). We welcome members of the public who wish to attend the council chamber during the open session portions of the deliberations. Negotiations can be broadcast live city’s YouTube channel.

Recordings are available upon request after each meeting. For meeting agendas and registration links, please visit: orillia.civicweb.net.

2025 budget negotiation calendar:

• November 4, 13:00, budget committee presentation and overview
• November 5 and 6, 9 a.m., 2025 operating budget hearings
• November 12 and 13, 9 a.m., 2025 capital budget hearings
• 9 December 13:00, budget approval

The budget package can be viewed on the city’s website: orillia.ca/budget or on the OrilliaNow online portal: orillia.ca/now.

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