Wellington County Council Approves 2.5% Tax Increase & Adopts 10 Year Plan
Wellington County Council has adopted its 2018 budget and
10-Year Plan (2018 – 2027) with a 2.5% increase to the County portion of property taxes.
“This budget and 10-Year Plan demonstrate the County’s commitment to investing in the long-term improvement and sustainability of our local infrastructure and health care services,” said Warden Dennis Lever. “The County continues to support our communities by investing in our roads, bridges, public works facilities, local hospitals, ambulance stations, and solid waste facilities.”
Highlights of the 2018 Budget and 10-Year Plan include:
- Investment in roads capital infrastructure and facilities over the next ten years, including $25 million for facility upgrades to fund the completion of Drayton Shop in 2018 and the replacement of the Arthur, Erin, Brucedale and Harriston public works facilities throughout the forecast.
- A provision for an Ambulance station feasibility study in 2018 and the proposed construction of six new ambulance stations located throughout the County (five locations identified over the forecast).
- Planning for the closure of Phase I and opening of Phase II at the Riverstown Landfill.
- Continued investment in County owned social and affordable housing units.
- Enhancements to winter maintenance to provide for safe driving conditions.
- Continuum of Care feasibility study for Wellington Place Lands to examine potential service delivery options for long-term care, assisted living, affordable housing and life lease condominium units.
- Increased the minimum rebate for property tax relief programmes for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities
“This budget and 10-Year Plan are focused on meeting both the County’s short term and long-term needs,”
commented Chris White, Administration, Finance and Human Resources Chair. “Having a detailed multi-year plan, allows the County to carefully manage spending while strategically protecting and improving our infrastructure and core services.”
As the county taxes continue to increase, you are very close to approaching a time when no one will move into the county because the taxes are too high especially when most people are on well and septic! Additionally, people will be moving away as the property taxes are no longer affordable. What does that do to your tax base?