The Town of Saugeen Shores has approved next year’s budget.
The blended tax rate increase which includes municipal, county and education levies is 4.1 per cent. That works out to an increase of about $19 a month for the average household. The Town says that number also includes the increase to the Future Infrastructure Special Levy.
They say highlights include the first-ever 10-year Operating Plan. It Prioritizes several environmental initiatives including looking at organic food waste collection.
It will be the final year of construction for the Aquatic and Wellness Centre in Port Elgin.
The Town says there’s a suite of programs to progress housing affordability and availability like the Community Planning Permit System (CPPS), Municipal Housing Allowance Subsidy and Surplus Town Land Assets.
There are planned infrastructure projects, phase 1 construction for North Shore, Helliwell and Jubilee parks, some park washrooms, the Southampton High Street project (2025 and 2026).
Council is due to pass the necessary By-laws to implement the 2025 Business Plan and Budget on January 6, 2025.
Mayor Luke Charbonneau says in a statement, “The ten-year planning framework for both our capital and operating plans allows us to anticipate and address emerging needs while maintaining moderate tax rates.”
He adds, “The Town is taking a sustainable approach to community growth as we expand our water and wastewater systems, support major enhancements to public parks and recreational spaces, strengthen our police and fire services and increase aid for people who are searching for an affordable place to live.”
Town staff say a BMA Management study shows Saugeen Shores’s residential tax rate is in the low-to-medium range for similar-sized municipalities in Ontario.