Keeping costs low and investing in infrastructure are the major highlights of the 2021 municipal budget in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge.
Mayor Tom Arnold said that council wanted to be sure that any increase did not exceed the cost of living and that there would be continued investment in improving roads and the water infrastructure in Calumet.
The 2021 budget takes an approach of cost control and good management, takes inventory of municipal assets, and investment in road reconstruction to decrease future maintenance costs.
Municipal revenues for Grenville-sur-la-Rouge are projected to be $6,167,890 in 2021, which is an increase of 1.64 per cent or $180,720 from $5,987,170 in 2020.
For residential properties, the tax rate will increase by 0.42 per cent, which for a house valued at $125,000, will mean a property tax increase of $7.25 in 2021.
The rate for commercial properties is increasing by 0.47 per cent, and the industrial rate is increasing by two per cent. The agricultural tax rate in 2021 is increasing by 10.44 per cent. However, agricultural landowners in Québec receive rebates on property taxes.
Property taxes will compose $78.42 per cent of municipal revenue in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge in 2021. Grants and transfers from other levels of government are projected to be 12.61 per cent of revenue. The remainder of revenue will come from other fees, fines, and payments in lieu of taxes.
In 2021, municipal operating expenses are projected to be $5,915,575, which is 5.83 per cent or $325,805 more than the 2020 amount which was $5,589,770.
Public works, which includes roads and water systems, is the greatest area of expense in the 2021 budget at 35.31 per cent. The second greatest expense is for administration at 20.28 per cent. Public safety, which includes the fire department, accounts for 13.75 per cent, which is the third greatest area of expenses in the 2021 budget.
This is the first year for the municipality’s three-year public works investment program. From 2021 to 2023, $14,829,000 will be spent on road, water system, equipment, and development related infrastructure improvements. In 2021, $2,405,000 will be spent on road work in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge. In 2022, $2,505,000 will be spent on road work, and $2 million will be spent on road work during the plan’s final year in 2023.
Expenditures for water system improvements include $2,700,000 each in 2021 and 2022.
An unallocated surplus of approximately $200,000 is being put toward infrastructure, and an additional $100,000 will be spent on materials necessary for road repairs. A further $30,000 will also be invested in culvert repairs and replacements throughout the municipality.
In Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, and across Québec, municipal elections will take place in the fall of 2021. The 2021 Grenville-sur-la-Rouge budget includes $30,000 in election expenses.
Other priority projects for Grenville-sur-la-Rouge in 2021 are the RenoFaçade community beautification program, the Rives Actives shoreline naturalization program, and the Family Policy, which is designed to strengthen family and community life.
