Cambridge Mayor Jan Liggett will have veto over any amendments recommended by the rest of council after the city's draft 2025 budget package is tabled for the first time on Oct. 28.
That date begins the new budget process under newly legislated Strong Mayor Powers, beginning with a 30-day amendment period for council. Timelines for budget consideration have been adjusted to align new legislative requirements with the existing council meeting schedule.
The process still includes opportunities for the public to attend meetings and delegate on the budget. In Cambridge, that date is Nov. 7 in two sessions; one from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and one from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The public can register to speak by completing a delegation registration form or by emailing the request to [email protected].
Registration is required by noon the day before the meeting. All registered delegations will be provided five minutes to speak. Delegations also have the option of submitting written correspondence to council and should email [email protected] to ensure their correspondence is captured in the minutes of the meeting.
The recent changes to the budget process stem from the province giving Royal Assent to the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act in 2022. It provided special powers and duties to the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa.
On June 16, 2023, the Ontario government announced that mayoral special powers and duties, as outlined in the Municipal Act, would be expanded to mayors in 26 municipalities, including the City of Cambridge effective July 1, 2023.
The Strong Mayor powers have since been expanded to include 46 municipalities.
As a result of this change in legislation, the mayor is required to present a draft budget for the upcoming year on Oct. 28.
Once that happens, it's followed by the amendment period through Nov. 27 during which council members can meet to suggest any changes.
That's followed by a 10-day veto period that allows the mayor to veto any amendment and include reasons for her decision. If there are no vetoes, the budget is considered passed.
If there are vetoes, council has until Dec. 24 to override the veto but any override requires a two thirds majority to pass.
The budget is deemed to have been adopted once both those periods have passed.
The city says all divisions participate in review of the budget. The mayor has been involved in establishing the proposed budget and has collaborated with each division across the organization.
Next week, council may consider altering the proposed timelines to shorten the periods during which council and the mayor are required to carry out the statutory requirements of the budget process.
