Region of Waterloo staff hear public input on 2025 draft budget [Video]

The Region of Waterloo held its first public meeting Wednesday night to help decide where next year’s tax dollars should be spent and how much it will all cost.

Delegates weighed in as regional staff and councillors look to take that input into account while preparing next year’s operating budget.

Public transportation proved to be a hot topic at the Strategic Plan & Budget Public Input meeting.

“The GRT released their business plan for 2025 to 2030, and it’s amazing,” said Rodney Chan with Tri-Cities Transport Action Group. “They want a 10-minute frequent transit network. They want overnight transit, they want more express routes and this is great, but we need the regional council to support it with the adequate funding it needs to move forward with it.”

The push from that community group is being acknowledged by decision makers.

“[There’s a] need to deliver those critical pieces of infrastructure …