South Bruce Peninsula Councillors are looking at a preliminary budget report from staff this week.
On Tuesday, staff are due to present council with a proposed 6.18 per cent levy impact to deliberate, which is $723,398 more than the year before.
The $6.8 million proposed 2024 capital budget includes 44 capital projects proposed for 2024 (40 in 2021 & 2022, 39 in 2023). That budget draws from tax supported reserves, user-pay reserve and grants. The proposed portion of that for roads is $3.7 million and $1.25 million for bridges.
Of note this year, the town will pay about $257,000 towards its 15-year term debenture cost for the Sauble Medical Clinic and new ambulance bay.
The cost of OPP is set to go up about $29,000 or 1.26 per cent to roughly $2.3 million.
The waste management collection contract is expected to go up by 6.95 per cent or $30,720.
There are a few studies in the proposed budget including one for bridge inspections, a roads needs study and another public works study.
There’s a proposed roughly 7 per cent increase to the water consumption rate, and the wastewater rate for many users. The staff report says that number is in line with recommendations that came out of a 2022 rate study.
Staff say, there are a number of competing capital replacement projects but there are also continued funding deficits, and staff say there’s a need to have a discussion about investing in, or divesting of the Town’s growing inventory of municipal buildings.
There is a public meeting planned for October 24th from 7 to 9 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Council is expected to begin budget deliberations the following day.