The county is not immune to the pressures facing governments, businesses, and everyday Canadians.
At the Perth County council meeting on Thursday, the 2024 budget was adopted, which includes a 12.31 per cent increase to the tax levy.
“This is a difficult tax year,” said Corey Bridges, manager of finance and treasurer with the County of Perth. He reiterated a point made in the annual report on the budget, that staff work “towards maintaining current service levels and addressing corporate priorities while striving to ensure resiliency, sustainability, and accountability for the corporation.”
The total tax levy for 2024 is estimated at $22.2 million. As noted in the annual budget report, the increase can largely be attributed to greater demand on municipal services, maintaining the county roads and planning and development service levels, and inflation.
There is also increased pressure for housing and shelter, healthcare and social services, the report stated.
Tax money collected goes to maintaining infrastructure, delivering paramedic, archival, and provincial court services, as well as going towards the shared cost of social services, among other things.
“Council is confident that this budget supports the continued excellent programs delivered by the county,” said Warden Rhonda Ehgoetz in a media release. “I look forward to seeing the completion of some exciting projects in the county in 2024.”
The 2024 budget includes a total spending of $72.2 million on operating and capital budgets ($55.2 million in operations and $17 million in capital projects).
Notable capital projects include the $4.1 million courthouse campus renovation project and the reconstruction of Perth Line 44 from Perth Road 135 to Road 160, a stretch of approximately 10 km, expected to cost $2.15 million.
Four road projects listed among capital projects in the report cost $6.38 million.
The budget for the courthouse project, which will link 5 Huron St., the old Service Ontario office, to the Perth County Courthouse, jumped significantly due to increasing construction costs, inflation over time. Warden Rhonda Ehgoez told StratfordToday previously that it is a necessary connection for the county’s administrative campus, allowing staff to have an easier, more conducive workplace, and make it easier for the public to access services.
Courthouse facility upgrades are listed at $715,000. That includes the vault flat roof replacement for $40,000, the boiler flash tank installation for $15,000, and the replacement of a ductless split AC unit for $10,000.
Additionally it also includes carryovers from 2022 and 2023, such as a generator upgrade listed at $250,000, the repair and repoint of stone arches and steps for $100,000, the masonry repoint of the courthouse brick for $100,000, the refinish/replacement of the level two exit doors at $100,000, and the council chamber upgrade and re-carpeting of the chambers, main staircase, and Justice of Peace office for $100,000.
County residents do not pay taxes directly to the county. Rather, the tax levy is added to the tax bill in the respective lower tier that residents live in: North Perth, West Perth, Perth East, and West Perth.
Bridges later estimated to StratfordToday that the property tax rate increase, based on the levy increase, will be around 10 per cent.
County council approved the 2024 budget in principle without discussion, after months of presentations from the respective departments at the county.
For the full report on the 2024 budget, visit here.
