Town of Lincoln 2023 Budget
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 ($M) by department. The operating budget is composed of day-to-day operating of providing services, repairs and maintenance of assets, low-value capital renewal programs, and daily activities of the organization, including salaries and wages, programs and services, and utilities.
![](https://s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-canada/b9bf93f6c9c62dbfa8e6459dfa9358497c77d613/original/1681407924/d7c723f378b09c68d5676cd58a04d1dd_23-035_2023_Budget_-_Creative_Assets_-_Dollar_Sign.jpg?1681407924)
Operating Budget
Below are the highlights of the Town's 2023 Operating Budget Expenditure ($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 Culture | 22 cents |
Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure | 22 cents |
Capital Levy and Special Infrastructure Levy | 15 cents |
Legislative, Administrative and General Government | 14 cents |
Fire Rescue Service | 11 cents |
Planning and Municipal Law Enforcement | 5 cents |
Agencies, Boards and Committees | 5 cents |
Economic Development and Communications | 5 cents |