2024 Proposed Budget Now Available for Public Input

The notice regarding the 2024 Proposed Town Budget has been updated to include additional comments from Deputy Mayor Peter Bordignon.

The 2024 Proposed Budget plans to provide essential services relied upon by residents, businesses and visitors while maintaining property taxes and user fees at a level beneficial to fostering growth, prosperity and community investment. A main focus of the 2024 Proposed Budget is to ensure the long-term financial stability of the Town through adequate transfers to asset management reserve for capital funding.

The 2024 Proposed Tax Rate increase is 9.58%. This represents an increase of $207 to an approximate total of $2,366 for the Town portion of annual property taxes. These numbers are based on the assessed value of an average home in The Blue Mountains as set by MPAC at $555,000.

Deputy Mayor Peter Bordignon, Chair of Finance, provided his outlook on the budget: “The operating side of the 2024 Budget reflects in its expenses and revenues, after growth, a tax rate impact of 2.38%, which comes in line with Council direction.” He adds: “When factoring in the staff recommended transfers to the asset management reserve funds, the required tax rate increase sits at 9.58%. During the Special Budget meetings in January, we will be looking for opportunities to mitigate or offset the difference of 7.2% outlined in the draft budget.”

Also included in the budget is a proposed increase in water and wastewater user fees. These fees are paid directly by the users that are connected to Municipal water and wastewater services. For the average home in the Town, the chart below outlines the impact of the Water and Wastewater User-Fee increase.

The 2024 Proposed Budget also includes a $80M capital budget to support key infrastructure projects throughout the Town. Projects include:

• Renovations of the Craigleith and Mill Street Sewage Pumping Stations and the Forcemain to the Thornbury Wastewater Treatment Plant ($30.6M)
• Replacement of the Thornbury Wastewater Treatment Plant Outfall ($16M)
• Replacement of the Craigleith Fire Hall and renovate the current building for Operations and Community Services ($13.3M)

Completing these projects will help ensure that the services delivered by the Town can continue to be delivered efficiently and effectively without service interruptions.

Provide Your Input

The 2024 Proposed Town Budget is now available for public review and input. The proposed budget includes the 2024 operating budget, a five-year capital budget, and proposed Fees and Charges. The purpose of the proposed budget is to serve as a starting point for budget discussions with Council and members of the public.

To review the 2024 Proposed Budget, please visit: www.thebluemountains.ca/budget

The budget will be reviewed and deliberated by Council at a series of special budget meetings scheduled for the following dates:

• Monday, January 8, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
• Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. (if necessary)

The special budget meetings will be conducted in person and will be live-streamed, with a recording posted to the Town website following the meeting. Following review and direction from Council through these meetings, revisions to the budget may be made, and the updated draft budget will be posted to the Town website on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.

Following the release of the updated budget, the Town will hold a Public Meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. The public meeting provides the opportunity for residents to address Council directly or to submit an email or letter that will be read aloud by the Town Clerk.

Following the public meeting, Town Staff will then bring a report to the Committee of the Whole on Monday, March 18, 2024, outlining the public’s comments from the Public Meeting. Following this meeting, any further changes will be incorporated into the 2024 Budget for Council approval, which is expected to occur on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

Residents are encouraged to participate and share feedback with Council throughout the budget process. To learn about how to participate at a meeting or how to provide comments, please contact the Town Clerk or visit www.thebluemountains.ca/participate

To learn more about the Town’s annual budget process, including key dates for the 2024 Budget process, please visit: www.thebluemountains.ca/budget

For more information, please contact:

Sam Dinsmore
Acting Director of Finance / Treasurer
(519) 599-3131 ext. 274

Town Clerk
(519) 599-3131 ext. 232

Shawn Everitt
Chief Administrative Officer
(519) 599-3131 ext. 234