Grey County Council has given first approval to its 2025 budget which includes a 3.33 per cent tax increase.
They discussed the budget at a special Committee of the Whole meeting on Friday, December 13th.
The total operating and capital budget to deliver programs and services and maintain infrastructure in 2025 is $302.4 million. The County says a total of $78.4 million will be collected through the County property levy.
County Warden Andrea Matrosovs, says in a statement, “Setting the annual budget is often the most difficult task if the year for a council. It takes months of preparation before a draft comes together and staff and council take great care in setting appropriate service levels.” She adds, “The 2025 budget keeps Grey County on target for several strategic initiatives while keeping the necessary levy increase at a manageable level.”
Highlights include the ongoing redevelopment and expansion of Rockwood Terrace long-term care home in Durham, the construction of a paramedic base in Durham and a new paramedic base in Feversham, a new patrol depot for transportation services in southern Grey County, and other projects.
Staff say, the budget also maintains the County’s commitment to asset management and investing an additional 2.55 per cent towards infrastructure each year for 15 years beginning in 2025. That’s an increase of nearly 1 per cent over the County’s previous asset management plan.
A release from the county notes, “Other factors outside of Grey County’s control also have an impact on service levels and the budget. Changes to provincial funding, general inflation, utility costs and insurance costs are all factors.”
The county says it saw additional investment in long-term care from the provincial government as well as strong assessment growth.
The draft 2025 budget details are available at www.grey.ca/budget.
A final version will be presented council’s January 9th meeting.