BRANTFORD, Ont. — The City of Brantford has unveiled a new online budget transparency platform, OpenBook, as part of its 2026 budget engagement campaign aimed at helping residents better understand how public funds are spent and encouraging community participation in financial decision-making.
The launch marks the start of Brantford’s annual public consultation process ahead of the Estimates Committee deliberations for the upcoming budget year. Now in the third year of its multi-year budgeting framework, City Council says it remains committed to ensuring that resident feedback continues to play a central role in setting priorities and maintaining fiscal accountability.
“Under the Strong Mayor’s Act, I have the responsibility to deliver the City’s annual budget,” said Mayor Kevin Davis. “That responsibility comes with an obligation to ensure residents have meaningful opportunities to share their views before budget decisions are finalized. The City’s new OpenBook platform supports that goal by helping residents better understand where their tax dollars go and how their input can help shape future budget decisions.”
A New Way to See the Numbers
Available at brantford.openbook.questica.com, OpenBook provides an interactive, user-friendly look at Brantford’s municipal finances. Residents can explore departmental budgets, review capital project investments, and learn how essential services — such as infrastructure, transit, and recreation — are funded.
The tool is part of a growing movement toward open data and digital engagement in municipal governance. According to City staff, OpenBook is designed to make budget information more transparent and accessible to residents who want to see how decisions affect their neighbourhoods and day-to-day services.
The platform complements Brantford’s existing engagement portal, LetsTalkBrantford.ca/CityBudget, which features background information, explanations of municipal funding processes, and opportunities for residents to join the conversation.
Encouraging Public Input
As part of this year’s engagement campaign, residents are invited to complete the 2026 Budget Priorities Survey, available online until November 6, 2025. The survey asks for feedback on funding levels across a range of key service areas — from infrastructure and transit to housing, climate action, and community supports.
Participants can also provide input on potential tax rate changes or identify programs where spending might be reduced. The City says the short survey, which takes about five to ten minutes to complete, gives residents a chance to directly influence how limited resources are balanced against community needs.
In addition to the digital survey, members of the public can share their views in person at upcoming Estimates Committee meetings. The City Services Budget will be reviewed on November 24, followed by the Local Boards Budgets on December 1. Residents who wish to present their perspectives can register as a delegation through brantford.ca/delegation.
Balancing Transparency and Fiscal Responsibility
The introduction of OpenBook aligns with a broader goal of improving financial literacy among residents while fostering accountability in public spending. City officials say the platform will help demystify the budgeting process by giving residents a clear, data-driven view of how tax dollars are allocated.
For Mayor Davis, the emphasis on accessibility is central to building trust. “The City’s new OpenBook platform supports that goal by helping residents better understand where their tax dollars go and how their input can help shape future budget decisions,” he said.
Looking Ahead
Feedback collected through both the OpenBook platform and the 2026 Budget Priorities Survey will be compiled and presented to the Estimates Committee at its first deliberation session on November 24, 2025.
The City’s Economic Development and Finance departments are encouraging broad participation from residents, businesses, and community organizations. Officials say the insights gathered will help guide Council’s approach to managing infrastructure investments, supporting vulnerable populations, and maintaining essential services within the constraints of a balanced budget.
Residents can explore the OpenBook tool, complete the online survey, or register to speak at an Estimates Committee meeting by visiting letstalkbrantford.ca/citybudget.