City of Waterloo Council Summary December 9, 2024

** The council summary below provides a snapshot of the major items presented at Monday’s council meeting. The council meeting webcast is available on the City of Waterloo YouTube page. Please refer to the minutes for an official record of the meeting.

City of Waterloo confirms 2025 budget

City of Waterloo Council confirmed the 6.34 per cent property tax increase for 2025, as previously approved in the City’s 2024-2026 three-year budget. The average household will see an increase of about $8 per month, or $99 annually, on their property tax bill.

More information regarding the budget confirmation is available in the City of Waterloo news release from earlier in the evening.

Council receives update on City infrastructure  

Council received the 2024 Asset Management Update, providing status updates on the $4.6 billion of City-owned infrastructure, including roads, the pipes under the roads, parks, trails, bridges, buildings and vehicles. The City of Waterloo provides a large number of services and maintains critical infrastructure with limited financial resources. The ongoing monitoring and continuous improvement of asset management helps council and staff prioritize the maintenance, rehabilitation or replacement needed to maintain that infrastructure. The annual report cards offer a snapshot of the current status of the City’s infrastructure assets, including funding needs and funding gap. This information helps the City’s decision-making on funding the right type of repair or replacement at the right time.

The 2024 Asset Management Report Cards are available on the City’s website.

City approves Four Units, Four Storeys in neighbourhoods throughout Waterloo

City of Waterloo Council voted unanimously to amend the Zoning By-law to permit Four Units and Four Storeys in low-rise residential neighbourhoods throughout the City of Waterloo. Four Units, Four Storeys will allow for gentle density and the gradual intensification of neighbourhoods by permitting four dwelling units on most residential lots in the city. Allowing detached additional dwelling units and small four-plexes to be integrated into neighbourhoods will increase the range of building types available and help combat declining housing affordability.

This decision supports the City of Waterloo's Complete Community strategic objective and the City’s Affordable Housing Strategy, increasing the supply and diversity of housing options in the city. It also aligns with the City’s Housing Pledge for 16,000 new homes by 2031 and responds to the Government of Canada’s HAF agreement with the City of Waterloo.

-30-

Media contact:

Cari Van Niekerk
Director, Corporate Communications
cari.vanniekerk@waterloo.ca