PUSLINCH – Puslinch ratepayers will see a 3.83 per cent increase to the municipal portion of their property taxes this year.
For a home assessed at $600,000, that works out to an additional $40 a year.
Combined with Wellington County and education taxes, that works out to a blended tax increase of 2.03% or an extra $116 on a $600,000 home.
The budget includes $1.8 million in roads, bridges and culverts, and storm water management projects. It also puts $1.7 million into discretionary reserves for future projects, of which $200,000 is earmarked for future gravel road improvements.
The budget also includes enhancements to parks and facilities, such as renovating the Puslinch Community Centre Park, replacing the bleachers at Morriston Meadows, LED lighting upgrades at township facilities, and upgrades to the municipal office.
“Puslinch council has passed a responsible budget that continues to focus on our key priorities,” Mayor James Seeley stated in a press release, noting an increase to the 2022 Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund by the province has helped the township keep the budget in check.
Staff introduced a new budgeting process last year that began last June, with various meetings on the operating budget, asset management and capital projects in the fall.
At the council meeting on Feb. 9 when the budget was passed, councillor Sara Bailey lauded staff for streamlining the process.
To a question from councillor Matthew Bulmer, treasurer Mary Hasan said the new Citywide data system is to be installed this year with the intention of being operational by 2023.
The system will streamline data collection, save staff time and allow more collaboration between departments, she said.
“It will keep an excellent inventory of our assets and when items need replacing and factor into our forecast,” she said.
