PERTH COUNTY – At its regular meeting on Feb. 3, Perth County council adopted the 2022 capital and operating budgets in principle following budget presentations from staff.
The 2022 budget was adopted in principle with a 5.92 per cent increase to the levy in the total amount of $18,123,056 – an increase of $1,013,598 from 2021. The 2022 taxable assessment in Perth County from 2021 will cover 2.63 per cent of the levy with the remaining 3.29 per cent being the levy increase directly related without the county’s 2021 assessment growth.
“County council has done an excellent job reviewing the budget for the upcoming year. I am pleased that we achieved consensus and approved the budget quickly,” said Warden Jim Aitcheson. “Council remains focused on the goals of our Strategic Plan and ensuring we are adequately supporting the programs and services our growing region requires.”
“I am pleased with the final outcome of the 2022 budget review,” added Corey Bridges, manager of finance/treasurer. “Municipalities across Ontario continue to deliver services under fluctuating COVID-19 pandemic circumstances. As a rural municipality we continue to manage additional external factors impacting our budget by balancing the ongoing reductions in OMPF (Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund) funding as well as delays in current value assessments for another year.”
The 2022 budget was informed by the annual business plans presented by each division over the course of several council meetings.
“We are delighted with the support of council for the 2022 budget. With one year left in county council’s current mandate, there are some exciting projects and plans for this year,” said Chief Administrative Officer Lori Wolfe. “Staff remain flexible in their work plans to adapt to shifting COVID-19 pandemic circumstances and we remain committed to delivering customer service excellence in everything we do.”
The county’s budget is informed by the five key strategic plan goals as outlined in the 2019-2022 corporate Strategic Plan, which include: Growth and Economic Development; Regionalization and Service Effectiveness; Customer Service Excellence; Community Development and Planning; and Corporate Sustainability. For a detailed budget breakdown, visit www.perthcounty.ca/finance.
