Council approves 2022 budget

Today, members of Wasaga Beach Town Council approved the municipality’s budget for 2022.

“This budget allows us to ensure the continued delivery of valued public services to families and businesses in Wasaga Beach,” Mayor Nina Bifolchi said. “The budget will also allow us to make important new investments in infrastructure and programs, helping move our community forward, ensuring our long-term viability as a great place to live, visit, and invest.”

For 2022, the operating budget is $44-million and the capital budget is $57-million.

Taxes will support nearly $28.5-million in the budget with the balance coming from reserves, fees, grants, and other revenues.

The tax rate for the municipal portion of taxes is 2.97 percent.

The blended tax rate – when the county and school board rates are considered – is 2.25 percent.

Wasaga Beach continues to have one of the lower tax rates in contrast to its municipal comparators in the region, while delivering a similar set of programs and services.

For a home in Wasaga Beach assessed at $450,000 in 2022, the municipal portion of taxes will increase by $77.16. The total property tax increase – factoring in the county rates and school board rates – will be $101.78, an additional $8.48 each month.

Factors affecting the budget in 2022 (increases over 2021) include, cost increases (inflation) on the various materials and services the town purchases, cost of living increases, new staffing (highlighted in the Dec. 14 slide deck presentation), debenture costs, declining grant money, and other general increases totalling $4.9-million. Costs outside the town’s control, such as OPP and Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority also contribute to the increase.

The Town of Wasaga Beach is taking a balanced and responsible approach to funding its capital plan for 2022, making use of reserves, debt, and the tax levy. Projects, planned for years, will be funded using reserves to help lower the tax burden. The town estimates reserves and deferred revenues will sit at $40-million at year’s end.

Highlights of investments for 2022 include:

Administration

$35,000 for continued investment in physician recruitment;
$7,000 for communication initiatives to serve the public

Fleet

$2.16-million for various fleet vehicle investments;

Information Systems

$274,000 to support information technology requirements;

Treasury

$36,000 for new asset management software,
$630,000 for the Main Street Bridge debenture and $91,000 for other construction financing;

Legislative Services

$135,000 to run the municipal election;

Municipal Law Enforcement

$175,000 to support municipal law enforcement services, including $110,000 for office renovations, and $4,000 for new radio equipment; and $15,000 for on-street parking enforcement initiatives

Fire

$920,000 is earmarked for the renovation of Fire Station 2, while other fire investments include approximately $1.4-million for a new aerial truck (2021 purchase), $20,000 for personal protective equipment, and $9,000 for new computer and office equipment;

Recreation, Events and Facilities

$21.8-million is earmarked for the twin-pad arena and library project,
$145,000 for an electric ice resurfacer,
$15,000 for RecPlex roof upgrades, and
$15,000 for improvements at the youth and senior active living centre;

Library

$9,000 will be utilized by the library to develop a new website;
$30,000 will go towards a rebranding exercise;
$5.4-million new library construction;

Public Works

Under Studies: $45,000 for the Public Works Department’s Transportation Study update exercise, $30,000 to conduct structural bridge inspections, and $130,000 for a town-wide drainage master plan;
$490,000 for the second year of the Ramblewood Drive Urbanization Project;
$765,000 for the River Road West utility relocations between Veterans Way and Blueberry Trail in preparation for the eventual widening of River Road West;
$418,000 for various road resurfacing projects by Public Works;
$6.45-million for the Beach Drive Reconstruction Project detailed design work and phase 1 of construction, between First Street and Third Street;
$8.48-million for water and wastewater projects;
$196,000 for drainage projects in various neighbourhoods, including the West End Drainage Study;
$25,000 for two new bus shelters;
$320,000 for two new buses;
$291,000 for the Glendale Park Redevelopment Project;
$290,000 for the Pridham Park Pedestrian Bridge Replacement Project;
$150,000 for the Sunnidale Trails Playground design;
$250,000 for the replacement of playground equipment at Mills Park;
$60,000 for new wayfinding signage;

Planning and Development

$46,000 for final year of new software investment in the Building Department to allow for new digital service delivery;
$52,000 for the Official Plan update;
$166,000 for the West End Secondary Plan Study;
$100,000 for the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw update;
$100,000 for Growth Nodes Study;
$40,000 for Affordable Housing Study;
$70,000 for tourism marketing partnerships;
$32,000 for town branding project;
$40,000 for implementation of initiatives from the approved Economic Development Strategy;

See the breakdown for the funding plan for the twin-pad arena and library. See page 63.

Review the 2022 budget

Review the bylaw enacting the budget

Review earlier Budget Updates