ELORA – As expected, Centre Wellington council passed the township’s 2025 budget on Dec. 16.
The budget includes a 3.49 per cent increase on the township portion of the tax bill, which amounts to an extra $50 a year on a home assessed at $393,972.
It includes $56.7 million in operating expenses and $48.8 million in capital projects.
Assessment growth came in at 6.69%, which was unexpected and adds $1.38 million to the revenue side of the ledger.
The budget adds another 8.5 full-time equivalent staff members and incorporates an increase in ongoing costs like hydro, insurance, gas, and road salt.
The biggest capital project is the new operations centre, which will eat about 30% of the capital budget.
The township is taking on debt to build it, but payments will be made from the development charges reserve.
When the building is complete and staff moves in, other properties, like works garages, will be sold and proceeds will also cover the debt.
Other capital projects in 2025 include:
- phase two of St. David Street reconstruction in Fergus ($5,060,000);
- work on 8th Line West from Sideroad 11 to Wellington Road 17 ($1,675,000);
- phase three of work on Colborne Street, from John Street to Wilson Crescent ($3,370,000);
- road work and watermain extension on Gerrie Road from Colborne Street to the Walser extension;
- Belwood Hall accessibility design ($450,000);
- a transportation master plan ($300,000);
- rehabilitation of bridge 26-P on 1st Line West ($480,000); and
- rehabilitation of bridge 4-E on 5th Line ($450,000).
Council discussed the budget at length on Dec. 3 in a committee of the whole meeting and essentially passed the budget then.
The Dec. 16 vote was more of a formality. So there was very little discussion on the budget at that meeting.
Councillors instead praised staff for their diligence and the creative ways they found to save money.
“We are collectively working together to serve our community,” said councillor Barb Evoy.
