Lively closeup of falling autumn leaves with vibrant backlight from the setting sun
Georgian Bluffs council has received a draft 2023 budget from the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority, which includes a 5.33 per cent levy increase.
During a meeting on Jan. 11, council received a presentation detailing the proposed 2023 capital and operating budget.
Outgoing Chair of the authority Scott Greig details how the overall levy increase differs amongst the eight municipalities in its watershed, based on current value assessment. He adds the increase is likely to have already been or going to be included in the municipality’s tax rate increase.
Municipalities like Owen Sound are facing a 3.5 per cent increase from the authority, while South Bruce Peninsula is seeing a 4.8 per cent increase.
Greig says the proposed 2023 operating budget comes in at $3.67 million.
“The significant drivers for the increased budget are the significant increases the authority has seen in insurance rates with double digit increases over the last couple of years. The authority is implementing the results of a salary compensation review conducted in 2021. We are funding some of the forestry division as well as some impacts in the budget with increased staffing as part of our planning department,” says Greig.
The budget also includes a number of capital projects, including signage, foot bridge and trail replacements, and remove changerooms and washrooms at certain locations which have reached the end of life.
Greig says they will be presenting their 2023 budget to all the municipalities in their watershed and take into consideration any concerns raised.
Greig says they aim to pass the budget in February.