Those opposed argued that they could not justify the increase in their budgets amidst such a large residential tax hike while those in favour of the proposal argued that the increase will increase public engagement and allow them to provide better service to residents. Photo Credit: X/City of Hamilton.
The debate over increasing office budgets for councillors began in 2022, extended throughout much of 2023, and continued into 2024, with Hamilton’s elected representatives eventually deciding that residents will be on the hook for an extra $1.6 million this year.
As part of 2024 budget discussions, city councillors voted to increase their office budgets so that they will all be able to hire a second full-time staffer.
The move came even as councillors raised taxes by 5.79 per cent in the 2024 budget.
The $1.6 million in new spending for councillor office budgets alone accounted for a 0.14 per cent increase to taxes.
The eventual decision on the matter follows several attempts, primarily from Councillor Cameron Kroetsch (Ward 2 – Downtown Hamilton) to increase office budgets.
In 2022, Kroetsch brought forward a proposal to increase each of the 15 councillors’ office budgets by $80,000 in a move that would have cost taxpayers an additional $1.2 million.
That proposal was defeated on a close 8 to 6 vote.
Then, in 2023, Kroetsch came up with a new motion to increase councillor budgets by $40,000 each, which would have cost taxpayers an additional $600,000.
That proposal failed as part of 2023 budget discussions in an 8-8 tied vote.
Then, in June 2023 Councillor Ted McMeekin (Ward 15 – East Flamborough-Waterdown) offered up $260,000 from Waterdown’s Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) funding to provide a one-time top up to councillor office budgets.
Waterdown receives a portion of Flamborough slot proceeds from OLG, although the funds are usually used for community projects.
That top up was divided up between those councillors who opted in.
It is believed that nine councillors opted in, each receiving about $29,000 in extra funds in 2023: Craig Cassar (Ward 12 – Ancaster-West Flamborough), John-Paul Danko (Ward 8 – West/Central Mountain), Tammy Hwang (Ward 4 – Hamilton East), Kroetsch , McMeekin, Nrinder Nann (Ward 3 – East Hamilton Centre), Esther Pauls (Ward 7 – Central Mountain), Alex Wilson (Ward 13 – Dundas-Central Flamborough), and Maureen Wilson (Ward 1 – Chedoke-Cootes-Westdale).
But councillors also voted to have a study conducted to determine what changes, if any, should be made to office budgets for 2024.
Councillors directed staff to hire a consultant to examine councillors office budgets and report back on recommendations.
That consultant report cost taxpayers $50,000 and recommended the $1.6 million increase.
In the end, the report convinced a number of councillors to support the increase in office budgets, with the eventual vote in favour of the decision 13-3.
Councillors Brad Clark (Ward 9 – Upper Stoney Creek), Matt Francis (Ward 5 – Hamilton East-Stoney Creek), and Mark Tadeson (Ward 11 – Glanbrook-Binbrook-Mount Hope) were the only three who voted against.
Those opposed argued that they could not justify the increase in their budgets amidst such a large residential tax hike while those in favour of the proposal argued that the increase will increase public engagement and allow them to provide better service to residents.
Based in Hamilton, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
