St. Marys council will begin reviewing the town’s 2023 budget with a proposed 3.7 per-cent levy increase at its first budget meeting on Jan. 10.
St. Marys council is getting set to review the town’s 2023 budget, which carries a proposed 3.7 per cent tax levy increase, next week.
At the town’s first budget session on Jan. 10, staff will introduce a roughly $14.1-million spending plan, representing a roughly six per cent – or $803,000 – increase from last year’s $13.3 million. According to treasurer André Morin, the town saw larger assessment growth – property taxes from new and expanded homes and businesses – in 2022 than in previous years, which will help to reduce the net levy increase by about $300,000.
Even so, staff were not able to meet the two per cent levy increase target set by the previous council last year and, if the budget was to be approved as it currently stands, the proposed bump – more than double last year’s – would add approximately $150 to the tax bill for a typical residential property.
“For the most part, our 2023 draft budget is a status quo budget with very few service level changes,” Morin told the Beacon Herald Wednesday. “The (levy) increase is mostly due to operating costs relating to (inflation). … In 2023, the assessment growth is expected to be more in line with the historical average (and) there are a few service-level increases that will be discussed with council on Jan. 10. … To summarize, we are proposing staffing changes at our childcare center to assist with recruitment and retention, a slight increase in our recreation programming, and adding staff to our clerk’s department to assist with data and records retention.”
While Morin said town staff have worked hard to bring forward a budget with a reasonable increase, council will have the opportunity to reduce that tax burden on property owners by reviewing the proposed service-level changes and considering reductions. Morin also noted the town’s annual contributions to external partners, including Stratford police and Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, have not been received, but council will have an opportunity to review those estimates later this month.
St. Marys council’s first budget meeting will include an overview of the town’s operating budget, which covers day-to-day costs of running the municipality, followed by an overview of the town’s nearly $9-million capital budget, which includes major projects and one -time expenditures.
Additional budget meetings have been scheduled for Jan. 17, Feb. 7 and Feb. 28, with council’s final approval tentatively set for March 14. Topics that will be up for discussion at those meetings include grant requests, major capital projects, town reserves and reserve funds, and the town’s property tax policy, which will determine how the 2023 levy will be shared between the different property classes.
As part of the budget process, the town is planning a Coffee with Council event on Feb. 4 to offer residents an informal opportunity to discuss the 2023 budget with members of council and senior staff. Residents can also provide feedback about St. Marys’ 2023 draft budget by contacting Morin directly at either 519-284-2340 ext. 217 or [email protected].
To see the draft budget in its entirety, visit www.townofstmarys.com/en/town-services/Annual-Budget.aspx.