WELLINGTON NORTH — Council is looking to reduce the proposed tax levy by at least one per cent in 2025.
Following staff recommendations in a new report to increase the 2025 municipal portion of the tax levy by 4.5 per cent- which would represent an annual increase of $62.78 for the average residential property, council directed staff to return with a report evaluating how to further reduce tax rates at a Wellington North council meeting Monday afternoon.
The total 2025 budget proposed is $10,635,600.
"We need to be very aware of our resident's ability to pay and it's a tough balancing act to try and deal with all the needs that we have and all the things we want to have and still keep this affordable," said Mayor Andy Lennox. "Frankly I think 4.5 per cent is an unreasonable request at this point for most of our residents. I'd prefer to see it much closer to three per cent."
Advocating for a tax levy increase between three and 3.5 per cent, councillors specifically said they'd like to see more upgrades to the Mount Forest Cemetery added to capital projects in 2025 and purchasing additional vehicles for the township's fleet delayed.
According to the report, over $12 million in capital projects are planned in 2025, with $8,751,743 dedicated to infrastructure, operation and transportation, $4,867,745 to be funded through development charges and reserves while $4,454,945 is to be funded through revenue like levies and fees.
Staff said the initial capital project budget contained projects totalling $24,918,220 but $12.2 million in projects were deferred following staff deliberations.
The deferred projects included McPherson Park upgrades, some Mount Forest Cemetery upgrades, reconstructing Clarke and Fergus Street, public wifi in Arthur and Mount Forest and just under $1 million in rural asphalt resurfacing.
"I realize that every project is going to have to be done at some point and another but (I'd like to see) if it's possible there's some that could be deferred to another year and (we can) just concentrate on the ones that are going to be absolutely necessary to try and reduce the percentage a little," said Councillor Penny Renken.
The township welcomed a 4.94 per cent increase in 2024.
Staff will return with a report detailing how to get closer to a three or 3.5 per cent levy increase at a future meeting.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
