On Jan. 27 Wellington County council adopted its 2011 budget with a 2.7% increase to the county portion of property taxes.
This budget includes significant expenditures for community safety, the environment, social services and maintaining quality libraries. It also includes a capital investment plan.
“The 2011 County budget will continue to focus on providing excellent service to all of our residents,” said Warden Chris White.
“This year, the County of Wellington will invest over $12-million in roads construction, paving and bridge rehabilitation. Over 18 kilometres of county roads will be reconstructed or resurfaced, and three bridges will be rehabilitated or replaced.
“This investment will help the county maintain safe and efficient roadways for travellers. Major 2011 capital investments include the completion of the new Puslinch library branch and the design and construction of the Harriston library branch expansion.”
Councillor John Green, chairman of the county’s administration, finance and personnel committee, said, “The County of Wellington invests over $160-million annually, providing exceptional services and programs to its residents. We also have a responsible and sustainable borrowing program that will help ensure the county maintains its enviable AA credit rating.”
Councillor Shawn Watters, chairman of the county’s planning and land division committee, added, “The county’s continued commitment to the environment is reflected in its contribution to the Rural Water Quality Program and the expansion of the Green Legacy Program. This year, construction will begin on a new northern tree nursery and 157,000 trees will be planted across the county by our community partners.”
For the average household, the increase is approximately $56 annually to the county portion of the tax bill.
Capital investments
Other capital investments include:
– increased funding for the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health unit to address future facility requirements and ongoing public health services;
– construction of the new OPP facility in Centre Wellington, which will be completed in 2011;
– $7.5-million for a new OPP operations centre in north Wellington for the 2011 to 2013 period; and
– $6.2-million for social housing units across Wellington and Guelph, which will provide capital repairs and improvements to improve living standards.
County service levels
and priorities
Other items in this year’s budget include:
– two new uniformed OPP officers to enhance community safety and to respond effectively to service level requests;
– additional library service hours at four county library branches;
– renovations to the existing OPP building in Fergus in order to make the facility suitable for a satellite social services office; and
– increasing to $450,000 the annual funding for the Rural Water Quality Program, which is administered by the Grand River Conservation Authority.
