Image: Huron County Courthouse
Huron County Council heard a presentation on the draft budget for 2023.
Director of Finance Michael Blumhagen presented the draft plan, saying that the county will have an increased budget overall compared to last year, but that inflation and increased costs would be noticeable.
He says that increased costs would be highest for hospitals, emergency services, and homes for the aged.
The county itself will see an increased operating budget because of increases to staff salaries and benefits.
Blumhagen also said that because of inflation, this is the tenth budget he’s drafted, and the worst budget he’s delivered to date because of higher costs due to interest rates and inflation.
Across the county’s 13 departments, there’s an overall 12.46% increase in expenses.
Blumhagen also says that because of changes in provincial funding, staffing expenses, and operating costs, one particular place where there will be the most challenges are for the homes for the aged.
He also pointed out that some of the infrastructure of the facilities is at the end-of-life, and updates to the facilities will need to be carried out.