County Council Adopts 2022 Budget With 2% Tax Increase
At the January 27th Council meeting, Wellington County Council adopted its
2022 budget with a 2.0% increase to the County portion of property taxes to focus on core
services.
“Today, County Council passed a responsible budget of service enhancements and investment
for 2022,” said Warden Kelly Linton. “The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a series of
challenging circumstances for all of the County’s communities, and has changed how we
provide services to our residents. This budget will continue to focus on enhancing core services
across all of our communities, while also making important investments in infrastructure,
health care, transportation, social services, and climate change.”
Highlights of the 2022 Budget include:
- Significant investment in roads capital infrastructure and public works facilities over the
next ten years, including a $41.2 million investment in facility upgrades that accounts
for the replacement of the Arthur Public Works Facility in 2022, and updates to the Erin,
Brucedale, Harriston, and Aberfoyle public works facilities throughout the forecast. - Continuation of Rural Broadband investment to complete the gigabyte fibre optic
buildout. A municipal contribution of $4.0 million over five years, which began in 2021
and will continue from 2022-2025. - Property acquisition and design for the construction of a new Erin Library Branch.
- Implementation of the Climate Change Mitigation Plan for the County of Wellington.
- Land Ambulance service expansion that will add a new 12-hour shift to improve
response times across Wellington County. - Affordable housing property acquisition for future development to assist with meeting
community needs. - Enhanced direct care hours at the Wellington Terrace Long-Term Care Home, as
supported by a significant provincial funding contribution. - Waste Management enhancements including improvements to the Elora and Rothsay
Transfer Station sites and two additional weeks of leaf and yard waste collection in the
fall.
“Staff and Council have taken great care to build a responsible and sustainable financial plan
during these difficult times,” commented Chris White, Chair of the County’s Administration,
Finance and Human Resources Committee. “This budget will help serve our communities in the
long-term, and help ensure that we maintain our services and infrastructure for our residents.”
