Town of Lincoln 2023 Budget

Share Town of Lincoln 2023 Budget on Facebook Share Town of Lincoln 2023 Budget on Twitter Share Town of Lincoln 2023 Budget on Linkedin Email Town of Lincoln 2023 Budget link

Consultation has concluded. Stay tuned for the 2024 Budget page coming in Summer 2023.  

How your Town Budget Works


Meeting Council Priorities Through an Open and Transparent Budget Process

Each year, the Town of Lincoln creates an operating budget, a capital budget, and a 10-year capital forecast.

The Town of Lincoln values the input of all residents, business owners and stakeholders towards the critical decisions made on our annual budget. Many factors affect the Town’s budget, and Town staff continually balance necessary costs and priorities while maintaining the service levels that our community expects.

The 2023 Budget Survey is now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their thoughts on the budget. 

Capital Plan Re-Mapping & Ad-Hoc Capital Financing/Debt Review Committee

The Town is working to re-map its Multi-year Capital plan, and has struck an Ad-Hoc Capital Financing/Debt Review Committee to present recommendations to Council for further discussion on capital priorities for 2024 and beyond.

Stay up-to-date through the presentations and by watching the COW meetings on the capital planning sessions.

Long-term capital planning is complex and there are many factors to consider. Currently on staff workplan are the following plans, studies and factors which influence long-term capital planning:

  • The asset management plan (phase 3, to include all infrastructure assets, must be completed by July 2024)
  • Reserve balances to be maintained within approved thresholds
  • Development charge background study (pending)
  • Water and wastewater rate study to be updated after the DC background study (as per Watson and Associates presentation on January 25, 2023)
  • Project start dates for developments shovel ready (2023 / 2024)



What’s in the 2023 Budget?

Capital Budget Spending

Below are some highlights on 2023 Capital Budget infrastructure spending according to Ward. (Long-term borrowing reflects annual principal and interest payments to repay long-term borrowing taken out for completed capital projects.).

Key Capital Investments by Ward 

Operating Budget

Below are the highlights of the Town's 2023 Operating Budget Expenditure ($M) by department. The operating budget is composed of day-to-day operating of providing services, repairs and maintenance of assets, low-value capital renewal programs, and daily activities of the organization, including salaries and wages, programs and services, and utilities.


Where do my taxes go?

Tax Distribution

Lincoln’s tax bill accounts for three agencies. In addition to the Town of Lincoln’s portion of the tax bill, property taxes pay for the delivery of services by the Niagara Region and the School Boards. The Town of Lincoln accounts for 37%, Niagara Region for 51% and School Boards for 12%.

Value for Tax Dollar

The following graph outlines the distribution of Lincoln's share of the tax bill per $1 spent on the Operating Budget.


Service Area
Share of the Tax Bill
Parks, Facilities, Recreation and Culture22 cents
Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure22 cents
Capital Levy and Special Infrastructure Levy15 cents
Legislative, Administrative and General Government14 cents
Fire Rescue Service11 cents
Planning and Municipal Law Enforcement5 cents
Agencies, Boards and Committees5 cents
Economic Development and Communications5 cents

Impact on Total 2023 Tax Bill per $378,000 of residential assessment


How your Town Budget Works


Meeting Council Priorities Through an Open and Transparent Budget Process

Each year, the Town of Lincoln creates an operating budget, a capital budget, and a 10-year capital forecast.

The Town of Lincoln values the input of all residents, business owners and stakeholders towards the critical decisions made on our annual budget. Many factors affect the Town’s budget, and Town staff continually balance necessary costs and priorities while maintaining the service levels that our community expects.

The 2023 Budget Survey is now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their thoughts on the budget. 

Capital Plan Re-Mapping & Ad-Hoc Capital Financing/Debt Review Committee

The Town is working to re-map its Multi-year Capital plan, and has struck an Ad-Hoc Capital Financing/Debt Review Committee to present recommendations to Council for further discussion on capital priorities for 2024 and beyond.

Stay up-to-date through the presentations and by watching the COW meetings on the capital planning sessions.

Long-term capital planning is complex and there are many factors to consider. Currently on staff workplan are the following plans, studies and factors which influence long-term capital planning:

  • The asset management plan (phase 3, to include all infrastructure assets, must be completed by July 2024)
  • Reserve balances to be maintained within approved thresholds
  • Development charge background study (pending)
  • Water and wastewater rate study to be updated after the DC background study (as per Watson and Associates presentation on January 25, 2023)
  • Project start dates for developments shovel ready (2023 / 2024)



What’s in the 2023 Budget?

Capital Budget Spending

Below are some highlights on 2023 Capital Budget infrastructure spending according to Ward. (Long-term borrowing reflects annual principal and interest payments to repay long-term borrowing taken out for completed capital projects.).

Key Capital Investments by Ward 

Operating Budget

Below are the highlights of the Town's 2023 Operating Budget Expenditure ($M) by department. The operating budget is composed of day-to-day operating of providing services, repairs and maintenance of assets, low-value capital renewal programs, and daily activities of the organization, including salaries and wages, programs and services, and utilities.


Where do my taxes go?

Tax Distribution

Lincoln’s tax bill accounts for three agencies. In addition to the Town of Lincoln’s portion of the tax bill, property taxes pay for the delivery of services by the Niagara Region and the School Boards. The Town of Lincoln accounts for 37%, Niagara Region for 51% and School Boards for 12%.

Value for Tax Dollar

The following graph outlines the distribution of Lincoln's share of the tax bill per $1 spent on the Operating Budget.


Service Area
Share of the Tax Bill
Parks, Facilities, Recreation and Culture22 cents
Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure22 cents
Capital Levy and Special Infrastructure Levy15 cents
Legislative, Administrative and General Government14 cents
Fire Rescue Service11 cents
Planning and Municipal Law Enforcement5 cents
Agencies, Boards and Committees5 cents
Economic Development and Communications5 cents

Impact on Total 2023 Tax Bill per $378,000 of residential assessment