GRCA approves $42-million budget

CAMBRIDGE – The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) Board approved the Authority’s 2027 budget at its Oct. 23 general membership meeting. 

The proposed 2027 budget includes total spending of $42,384,764 and participating municipalities will contribute about $14.7 million – an increase of 3.5 per cent over last year.

The GRCA board is made up of 26 members appointed by the municipalities in the Grand River watershed.

Each pays a portion of the municipal total based on the “modified current value assessment” as outlined in the Conservation Authorities Act.

The municipal portion is about 35% of the GRCA’s total budget. 

In 2027, the GRCA expects to generate about 46% of its own revenue through sources such as camping fees, conservation area admissions, environmental education programs, hydro sales from some dams, property rentals, tree sales, planning permits and donations raised by the Grand River Conservation Foundation (GRCF).

Other federal, provincial and municipal government grants totaling just under $4.6 million represent about 11% of the budget.

Finally, $3.5 million or about 8% of the total budget in 2027 will come from GRCA reserves.

The GRCA’s budget has been historically approved annually in February. 

However, on June 26 the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation Parks (MECP) issued a directive stating conservation authority budgets for 2027 must be approved no later than 30 days prior to the Feb. 1, 2027 transition date, to preserve operational and budget continuity. 

To meet the earlier timeline, the first draft of the GRCA’s 2027 budget was presented to the board at a special meeting on July 27. 

The final municipal apportionment was approved at the Sept. 25 GRCA board meeting.

“As we look ahead to 2027, the GRCA continues to adapt to a changing regulatory environment, while remaining focused on delivering effective, efficient, and fiscally responsible programs and services,” stated GRCA chair John Challinor. 

“This budget reflects our commitment to working with our municipal partners, protecting communities from natural hazards, conserving vital natural resources, and ensuring that residents across the watershed continue to benefit from the programs and services they rely on.”

The 2027 budget framework corresponds with the GRCA’s program and services inventory which was prepared in accordance with provincial regulations.

Full details of the GRCA 2027 budget are provided in the Oct. 2 board report.