Council Approves 2022 Budget – 1.98% Increase

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 1, 2022

Council Approves 2022 Budget – 1.98% Increase

West Lincoln, Ont. – March 1^st - At its Feb 28^th Council meeting, the Township of West Lincoln approved a 2022 Operating Budget of $19.7 million and a 2022 Capital Budget of $4.9 million.

This budget is supported with a general tax levy of $8,351,670 which represents a 1.98% tax levy increase over 2021.  A hospital levy of $125,800 for the rebuild of the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital was also approved by Council as was the Urban Service Area Levy of $184,770.  For the average homeowner, the annual increase in the local share of taxes is estimated at $34, or $2.83 a month.   In approving the 2022 budget, Council has provided the funding for enhanced service levels within the operating fund, including increasing the compliment of volunteer firefighters by four and providing an almost 14% increase to the road maintenance budget. The Township also continues to build its reserves in line with approved policies.

Some 2022 budget highlights include:

• $1 million towards the Rehabilitation of Pearson Bridge located on Boyle Road
• $1.35 million towards five additional bridge and road rehabilitation projects
• $550,000 for the replacement of a grader
• $321,000 investment into the Township’s Libraries, Parks and Recreation Services, including improvements at both Wellandport Hall and Abingdon Hall
• $190,000 towards six Planning projects that will ensure that the Township continues to grow responsibly while providing support for local businesses

 MAYOR BYLSMA STATED:

 "Once again Council and staff have negotiated an excellent budget which reflects both a balance of fiscal responsibility and the pressures of growth.   These are challenging days for everyone with ever increasing expenditures, we’ve listened and responded."

 ADMINISTRATION/FINANCE/FIRE COMMITTEE CHAIR TROMBETTA STATED:

 "Council has worked together with staff and the public, to come up with a responsible budget in these pressing times that we are in. Moving forward but still maintaining our service levels, we all have heard the public and listened."                                               

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