Wellington County has adopted a 2015 budget with a 2.8 per cent tax levy increase.
Warden George Bridge says the budget, which will cost county taxpayers an additional $18 per $100,000 of assessment, “invests in the residents of Wellington County.
“With this budget, the county is making a significant commitment to improving health care in our community in addition to enhancing the county’s physical and technological infrastructure. This budget also means the creation of new and future jobs for Wellington County,” Bridge stated in a press release issued after the budget was passed at the Jan. 29 county council meeting.
The budget calls for spending of $185,489,200 and revenues of $100,965,700, leaving $84,523,500 to be raised through the tax levy.
Spending in the budget includes:
– the first installment of a new $9.4 million investment in the county’s three local hospitals: Groves hospital in Fergus; Louise Marshall Hospital in Mount Forest and Palmerston District Community Hospital;
– $218,000 for an ambulance response time improvement plan through the City of Guelph;
– $14.7 million for roads and bridges;
– $4.3 million for social and affordable housing in Guelph and Wellington;
• $3.5 million for the renovation and expansion of the Palmerston Library; and
– continued economic development funding, including a new County of Wellington sign strategy, sector investment profiles, preparation for the county hosting the International Plowing Match in 2016, and a local municipal business retention and expansion fund.
Staffing in the economic development department has also been increased, with the economic development co-coordinator position going from part-time to full-time. In December, former Town of Minto economic development and recreation co-coordinator Mandy Jones was hired for the full-time position with the county.
Other staffing changes covered in the budget include the addition of the equivalent of 8.8 full-time staff in various departments, at a net cost of $427,100 to the county.
The budget passed on Jan. 29 is the result of some cuts to a draft budget made at the committee level. Initial projections indicated a 3.2% tax levy increase.
All the cuts came from the police services budget, where a decision to forego the practice of adding two officers per year saved $340,000. The savings came from salaries and capital costs associated with the proposed two officers and the elimination of a plan to add acquisition of two all-terrain vehicles to the police services budget.
The police services committee altered five-year projections to reflect the hiring of no new officers in 2015 and 2016 and one new officer in each of the next three years.
Councillor Don McKay explained the solid waste services committee backed off a plan to increase bag tag fees for garbage, but went ahead with a $5 increase in tipping fees, which is expected to generate additional revenue.
“This is a fiscally responsible budget for the county,” said councillor Dennis Lever, chair of the county’s administration, finance and personnel committee.
“It strikes a good balance between economic growth and protecting and improving our infrastructure and services thereby ensuring stability for years to come.”
