ABERFOYLE – Puslinch residents will see a 4.1 per cent increase on the township portion of their property tax bill after council approved the 2025 budget at its Feb. 20 meeting.
That amounts to an extra $52 a year for a home assessed at $661,000, which is the average assessment in the township.
When combined with Wellington County and the education portions of the tax bill, the blended increase is 3.38% for an additional $231 per year.
Like other municipalities, Puslinch grappled with the rising cost of fuel and insurance, the minimum wage increase, and increases in levies from conservation authorities that added to operational and capital costs.
It is also working on getting its asset management plan up and running, which is taking longer than expected.
The asset management plan is a system that allows municipalities to track the value of all its assets and then set aside money each year so it’s there for repairs or replacement when the time comes.
Assets include buildings, equipment, roads, bridges, vehicles – pretty much everything – and all municipalities are required to adopt the system.
Township treasurer Mary Hasan said Puslinch expects the system will be substantially complete this year and its benefits will be realized in time for the 2026 budget cycle.
The 2025 budget includes a $975,825 contribution to the asset management reserve.
The budget includes considerable investments into other discretionary reserves, which will be used to fund projects now and into the future.
Some of the capital projects for 2025 include:
- $30,000 for a fire master plan;
- $985,153 for a pumper truck;
- $600,000 for improvements to the administration and facilities building;
- $370,800 to the gravel roads improvement reserve;
- improvements to Puslinch-Flamborough Townline, Gore Road, Leslie Road West, Winer Road, and Concession 1/Leslie Road West; and
- $100,000 to develop an official plan.
In all, the budget includes $6,621,691 in capital projects in 2025.
As for operating expenses, the 2025 operating budget totals $7,502,785 and includes:
- a 3% cost of living increase, which adds $114,000 to the bottom line;
- an additional $5,700 for Cambridge Fire and Rescue, which covers parts of Puslinch Township; and
- an increase of $6,000 in dispatch costs to the City of Guelph.
Luckily, there was some assessment growth in the township in 2024, so the new 2025 weighted assessment growth is approximately 1.67% or $46,000.
Councillor John Sepulis noted that while a 4.1% increase for Puslinch appears to be more than Guelph/Eramosa, which recently approved a 3.78% increase, “the dollar amount they pay is significantly more.
“An average home in Puslinch pays less than Guelph/Eramosa.”
Sepulis was also concerned that the asset management plan is projecting into the red in the next five years or so.
“I’m concerned we’re putting a Band-Aid on it,” he said.
“I really think we have to hit this hard, and soon. I don’t want to go into next year’s budget without a plan.”
Council agreed to have a special meeting to discuss future projects, the expected costs, and how much needs to be tucked into reserves to meet those demands.
In a press release, Mayor James Seeley congratulated staff and council for what he called a fair and reasonable budget.
“Puslinch council has approved a sensible budget that maintains our focus on key priorities during these challenging times,” Seeley remarked.
“Notably, the annual increase for residents is just $52, despite ongoing high inflation and rising costs.”
He added, “Despite these economic challenges, Puslinch council has prioritized fiscal responsibility, ensuring that the budget supports essential services and infrastructure improvements without placing undue financial strain on residents.”
