Haldimand councillors unanimously approved a “keep the lights on” budget that will increase the average residential tax bill by 4.43 per cent — or $158 for an average assessed home.
The county’s 2024 tax-supported operating budget, approved on Feb. 29, includes expenditures of $146.2 million, an increase of $8 million from the previous year.
Property taxes account for $86.1 million — or 59 per cent — of the total funding sources.
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Cathy Case, chief administrative officer for Haldimand County, said inflationary and economic increases account for the biggest portion of this year’s budget increase. The budget covers day-to-day expenses, including emergency services, winter control, parks and recreation, staffing and facility costs.
Case noted staff were advised to only bring forward “absolutely necessary” budget increases.
“The budget presented to council today was one of the most challenging budgets that Haldimand has seen in years, clearly indicative of the economic times being experienced across the province,” said Case.
“Despite the increase being higher than in past years, it is essentially a ‘keep the lights on budget,’ with minimal critical new initiatives,” Case added.
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Last year’s budget resulted in an average residential tax increase of 3.28 per cent.
County staff presented a municipal tax comparison chart that puts Haldimand’s 2024 tax increase at the low end of 14 Ontario municipalities, below Hamilton (5.8 per cent), Norfolk (6.3 per cent) and Brant (8.7 per cent).
Ward 3 councillor Dan Lawrence, who represents the Caledonia area, commended staff for maintaining service levels without substantial cuts.
“With all the inflationary pressures that we’re having, the average resident isn’t going to see a cut in services,” Lawrence noted.
New initiatives account for $1,811,750 — or 2.26 per cent — of the total budget.
Budget additions include a $63,000 physician recruitment strategy, increased direct-care hours for Grandview Lodge residents, a $25,000 rural water-quality program, an expanded community paramedic program and a $20,000 invasive species management program in the county’s forestry division.
Enhancements at Grandview Lodge include $148,380 for a nurse practitioner position, plus $90,440 for a scheduler at the Dunnville long-term care home.
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Community paramedic enhancements include two full-time equivalent staff, a new paramedic vehicle, plus diagnostic and office equipment, funded by $1,667,200 from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, with no impact on the municipal tax levy.
The budget also increases funding for a community beautification program from $60,000 to $80,000.
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