West Lincoln 2024 Budget Invests in Assets to Enhance Service Levels

NEWS RELEASE

West Lincoln 2024 Budget Invests in Assets to Enhance Service Levels

For Immediate Release: February 29, 2024

At its February 26 meeting, Township Council passed West Lincoln’s 2024 Budget, which supports approximately $10.3 million in capital and special projects, to be completed this year, and $21.8 million in operating expenditures funded by property taxes, user fees, grants and reserve transfers.

The Township budget is supported with a general tax levy of $9,709,110, which represents a 6.55 per cent increase over 2023, after factoring in assessment growth. This is down from the preliminary 9.14 per cent increase, presented at the Special Council meeting on February 5. The overall tax bill, which includes all three taxing authorities, will increase by approximately 5.53 per cent for an average single family home in West Lincoln.

The hospital levy of $226,500 for the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital and Urban Service Area levy of $186,320 were also approved.

What does this mean for you?

For the average West Lincoln homeowner (based on 2016 property assessments), the annual increase in the local share of taxes is estimated at $101.10, or $8.43 a month. When factoring in the hospital levy, as well, the annual increase is estimated at $109.53, or $9.13 per month. The Urban Service Area levy for 2024 decreased from 2023, meaning residents in the Urban Service Area of Smithville will pay, on average, $1.88 less in 2024 than they did in 2023.

Investments

West Lincoln’s 2024 budget provides funding for enhanced service levels while also continuing to build reserves and supporting investments in Township infrastructure. The following projects are included in the Capital Budget:

• $700,000 towards hard topping Vaughan Road, from Wellandport Road to Heaslip Road
• $1.83 million in road resurfacing projects
• $5.15 million for water main and sanitary sewer replacement projects
• $806,000 investment towards parks, libraries, recreation facilities and programs, which includes the reconstruction of the Murgatroyd trail and replacement of the Leisureplex playground

The Township is committed to a transparent budget process and to providing information in an easy-to-understand format. OpenBook presents budget data using charts, tables, graphs and maps.

For notifications and important updates, remember to follow the Township of West Lincoln on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @TWPWestLincoln.

Quotes:

“With the Township and West Lincoln residents all facing increased costs outside of our control, Council knew going into budget deliberations that it was more important than ever that we be modest with spending. In the end, I am proud of Council and Staff for working hard to prioritize fiscal responsibility, to safeguard the long-term prosperity of our community.”

Cheryl Ganann

Mayor

“This was a particularly challenging budget year, but Council and Staff remained determined to keeping as much pressure off of our taxpayers as possible. This meant taking a hard look at all costs and reducing, deferring or finding savings anywhere we could while ensuring we are able to continue providing excellent service. The result is a lean budget that supports the Township’s most essential needs.”

Donna DeFilippis

Interim Chief Administrative Officer

Media Contact: