The Township of North Glengarry’s budget for 2024 includes a 4.05 per cent or $264,422 increase in the amount of taxes the municipality will collect.
The increase brings the projected total tax revenue in North Glengarry for 2024 to $6,851,142.
The budget was approved by council on January 29 following a lengthy budget meeting on January 18. The bylaws for official adoption and the exact tax rate for 2024 will go before council at a future meeting. The township has decided to withhold the explanation of what the exact impact on residential taxes the levy increase will have until the rates have been determined. Additionally, the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry rates, and the education rates are still being determined.
At the January 18 meeting, a series of amendments were made to the draft budget. Council decided to increase the transfer from reserves by $60,000 and add $60,000 to the budget for roof repair at the municipal office building. On January 29, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Sarah Huskinson noted that during the previous week, the roof had been leaking, highlighting the need for repairs.
The other amendments made on January 18 included reductions of $45,000 for tennis court repairs at the Tim Hortons Dome, $34,000 less in revenue from the tax levy, the removal of $27,000 for the purchase of an electric all-terrain vehicle by the Recreation Department, $11,000 less in funding from reserves, and a $5,000 reduction in the website hosting budget.
At the January 29 meeting, there was some discussion among council members before they approved the budget in principle. Councillor Jeff Manley asked about the interim tax bills, which property owners just received.
“What number is that based on?” he inquired.
Huskinson said the interim tax bills are based upon 50 per cent of what was levied by the township in 2023.
“So, people can expect that the next tax bill will go up substantially because it’s going to cover it,” responded Manley.
Huskinson responded that that calculation for the official 2024 amount will be done after council adopts the budget and tax rate bylaw, but because those rates are increasing, property owners will notice a difference.
Deputy Mayor Carma Williams questioned the continued allocation of $15,000 in the budget for community events.
Huskinson said the township overspent on community events in 2023 and council had previously decided the budget should remain at that amount, but any further event expenses should be offset using grants, donations, or contributions from other organizations.
Williams agreed but also questioned if anything would be cut since the budget was already overspent. Expenses for Canada Day and Christmas festivities in 2023 totaled about $37,000.
Huskinson said staff need to do better on breaking down the expenses to find savings. She also raised the possibility of relying more on government grants and contributions from service clubs, along with the need for better reporting to council.
Williams agreed.
Councillor Jacques Massie said more clarity is needed.
The most significant planned capital expenses in North Glengarry in 2024 include $1,300,000 for roads. Most of that budget will be allocated for improving paved rural roads and $170,000 has been set aside for urban streets. For capital projects on bridges, $1,425,000 has been allocated in 2024. This includes $1,200,000 for the Dominion Street South Bridge and $110,000 for the Bishop Street Bridge.
