The Municipality of Bluewater adopted its 2024 budget at Monday night's meeting, approving a 6.7 per cent tax increase for ratepayers.
Council said over five budget meetings, they tried to find a way to strategically invest in critical services while keeping the tax rate increase as low as possible.
“As Council, we carefully consider the services we provide to our community, the cost to provide those services, and the impact of any tax increase on our residents,” said Mayor Paul Klopp. “While we’d like to see zero increase to the tax rate, that isn’t realistic with inflation and current interest rates as they are, and our obligation to provide important services to our community and maintain all the critical assets we own. I’m confident that this budget balances community asks with service delivery needs in a fair and sustainable way.”
For a single home with an average assessed value of $246,000, the tax hike represents an additional $76 a year.
The Municipality says the money will go towards key investments this year, like $3.3 million to support road and bridge infrastructure needs, including the expansion of the Stanley Public Works Shop.
Other investments include $9.2 million to support the expansion of the Bayfield Waste Water Treatment Plant, pending grant funding.
This year's budget includes $21.6 million for operating and $15.6 million for capital.
“Creating a budget that promotes sustainable growth and meets the needs of our community requires collaboration between Council and staff," said Mayor Klopp. "Keeping these themes in mind has allowed us to work together to create a budget that is fair, responsible, and forward looking.”
