At the January 7 special session, Grenville-sur-la-Rouge (GSLR) council unanimously approved its $8,728,211 budget for 2025. This represents an increase of 10.1 per cent or $803,746 from the previous year.
Residents can expect a two per cent increase in the property tax rate to help offset municipal costs and provide funding for ongoing and future projects in GSLR.
The tax increase will result in approximately $36 being added to residents’ annual tax bill, based on the average municipal property value of $365,000.
Furthermore, some service fees will rise. The cost of emptying septic tanks will increase to $120 from $80.50, garbage collection charges will rise to $155 from $150, and aqueduct fees in Calumet will increase to $500 from $316.
The budget report highlights several challenges facing the municipality, including a low growth rate in the tax base, the need to maintain tax competitiveness in the region, and the ongoing investment required for road infrastructure.
In 2025, GSLR is allocating $680,000 to investments in parks and green areas, $500,000 toward buildings and structures, and $5,850,000 to roads and infrastructure. An additional $135,000 has also been set aside for vehicles and equipment.
The report concludes that the municipality will highlight cost control optimization through workplace efficiency, securing additional subsidies to fund projects, attracting development in the community, and ensuring these investments are transparent to residents.
