PUSLINCH – Puslinch council has passed the 2023 budget, including nearly $5 million in capital projects, a capital levy of $1.3 million and an operating levy of $3.5 million.
That means a 4.5 per cent tax increase for residential ratepayers, which translates to an additional $8 per $100,000 of assessment or $48 on a home assessed at $610,000.
The budget, passed at council’s Feb. 8 meeting, adds $1.7 million to discretionary reserves – $270,800 of that to the gravel roads reserve fund as the township works on its long-term plan to convert gravel roads to asphalt.
There will be $2.6 million for roads, bridges and culvert, and storm water work in 2023 as well as improvements at the Puslinch Community Centre and playground equipment upgrades at Boreham Park.
Other highlights include:
- improvements to Leslie Road West;
- Kerr Crescent stormwater management facility;
- work on Maltby Road East;
- LED lighting upgrades at township facilities;
- refinish and repaint lines at the Optimist Recreation Centre; and
- municipal office upgrades.
Like other municipalities, the township had to work against rising inflation, higher interest rates and the pressure Bills 23 and 109 have put on planning and heritage departments to meet tighter timeframes.
In a press release, Mayor James Seeley called the budget “responsible.”
“It is extraordinary that the annual increase to residents is only $48 taking into account the significant inflationary trends and the numerous improvements this budget provides including expanded services and significant investments in infrastructure,” he stated.
“I still feel people focus on the 4.5%, but’s it’s another $48 a year,” he said at the meeting.
“That’s a lot of bang for your buck.”
Councillor Sarah Bailey liked that online public engagement on the budget had increased by 50%.
Councillor John Sepulis asked if staff could use growth numbers from Wellington County – usually available in November – in its calculation of the draft budget rather than making a guess as to what the province will confirm after-the-fact.
CAO Glenn Schwendinger said now that the budget has passed, that can be added to discussions during council’s budget process review.
