Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis defended the city’s proposed 2025 Operating and Capital Budgets, calling them a “necessary step” to support growth, enhance public safety, and modernize infrastructure. The budgets, which will be presented for Council’s consideration on January 14, 2025, include a 5.74% property tax increase, equating to an average of $213 annually for residential taxpayers.
In an interview with BrantBlog.ca following the budget’s release, Mayor Davis emphasized the importance of balancing fiscal responsibility with strategic investments. “It’s really the city budget,” Davis said. “It reflects months of work by city staff and input from Council. What you saw yesterday was the culmination of all that effort, and now Council has the opportunity to make amendments.”
Key investments outlined in the proposal include additional funding for emergency services, public transit, and long-term infrastructure improvements. Notably, the budget allocates resources for a new ambulance to improve medical response times and expands Brantford Police Service capabilities with two additional cruisers and a full-time crime prevention officer.
“You can’t improve public health and safety or modernize transit without making some additional investments,” Davis said. “This budget prioritizes those areas because they are critical to our city’s growth and quality of life.”
Modernizing Brantford’s transit system is a cornerstone of the capital plan, which totals $161.6 million. The budget earmarks $5.32 million to expand transit services, introducing three core routes with two-way service and feeder routes beginning in September 2025.
“We’re long overdue for a transit overhaul,” Davis explained. “This is about creating a system that actually works for our city today—not the one we had 35 years ago.”
The proposal also addresses infrastructure needs, including $250,000 for sidewalk enhancements and a $75,000 feasibility study on potential municipal restructuring with the County of Brant.
Mayor Davis acknowledged that the tax increase could have been kept below 4% without these new initiatives but stressed the importance of forward-looking investments. “We’ve done an excellent job in Brantford over the last seven years, keeping tax increases below inflation most years. Two years ago, we had the lowest tax increase among large Ontario cities,” he noted.
Looking to 2025, Davis said the city faces both challenges and opportunities, particularly around transportation, housing, and economic development. He highlighted plans to improve traffic flow, including addressing congestion around West Brant and the 403 corridor.
“Decisions we make this year will have a lasting impact,” he said. “We need to tackle traffic issues, improve affordable housing, and continue supporting economic growth.”
Davis also pointed to Brantford’s acquisition of the Fox Ridge Retirement Home as a key initiative to address housing affordability. “We take possession this summer and are already planning how to redevelop it to better meet the needs of our most vulnerable residents,” he said.
However, Davis acknowledged broader economic uncertainties, including potential U.S. tariffs that could affect local industries. “If Trump imposes 25% tariffs, it could have a significant impact on our community,” he said. “We’ll deal with it, but it’s a concern.”
The mayor expressed optimism about securing provincial funding for a new hospital, a project that has long been a priority. “We’ve set aside nearly $20 million in reserves for our share of the cost. Now we’re hoping the province includes it in their 2025 budget,” Davis said.
Residents will have an opportunity to provide input on the budget at the January 14 Council meeting. Davis stressed the importance of community feedback and confirmed he would not use his Strong Mayor powers to block amendments supported by a majority of Council members.
As Brantford enters the new year, Davis remains focused on laying the foundation for future growth. “This is a milestone year for Brantford,” he said. “We’re making decisions now that will position our city for long-term success.”
