Linda Jeffrey Finance Policy

Value for your Tax Dollars

People work hard for their money and want to know that they are getting value for their tax dollars.

In 2014 I was elected with a strong mandate to clean up the financial mess of Brampton City Hall. A lot of progress has been made in this past term to ensure real transparency and accountability in handling your money. We are on track to providing long-term, predictable budgets that deliver the infrastructure and services that Bramptonians need for a growing and prospering city.

I will continue to fight against wasteful spending that brings little benefit to the city.

Under my leadership we have: Lowered tax rate for the City of Brampton from 0.499812% in 2015 to 0.481785% in 2018. We have fought against corporate taxpayer funded bailouts of golf courses and privately-owned sports teams that provide little return for taxpayers. We have been able to cut waste – removed 25 senior bureaucrats, making City Hall more efficient. Improved Brampton’s credit rating from “Triple A” Negative to “Triple A Stable” helping to save thousands of dollars in interest costs. Brampton’s rating has improved from B- to A-, making us among the highest ranked cities in Canada by C.D. Howe Institute. Introduced changes to modernize the City’s budgeting practices to ensure accountability from staff, contain costs and focus on a good long-term financial strategy. Ensured that rates for future budgets were posted on three-year increments. Made the budget process more accessible by: including more public input; conducting tele-townhalls; making budget documents more easily-accessible online for residents.

Next term focus:

• Continue to hold the line on property taxes
• Continue to find areas to save money through efficiencies
• Provide stability and predictability – continue to build up sufficient reserve funds to ensure prudent long-term financial planning and to avoid unexpected changes to the tax base.
• Maintain the City’s infrastructure levy at current levels so we can plan future infrastructure needs without overburdening current and future taxpayers.

Progress was made in the last term of Council, but the job is not done. We need to continue our efforts to maintain this positive momentum that was started to improve the City’s financial standing and increasing transparency and accountability in how City Hall handles taxpayers’ money. Transparency, predictability and long-term financial planning will strengthen the City’s financial foundation for years to come.