Media Release: 2024 Municipal Budget Passed
Tillsonburg, ON – Tillsonburg Town Council passed the 2024 Municipal Budget at its February 12 meeting, approving a modest tax rate increase of 4.91 per cent.
An average Tillsonburg home with an assessed value of $237,000 will see an increase of $96.21 on the Town portion of their annual tax bill.
“Many municipalities are passing higher than normal property tax rate increases in 2024 to address infrastructure needs,” says Mayor Deb Gilvesy. “The increasing costs of supplies and labour, as well as rising interest rates are definitely having an impact on municipalities.”
While the Town’s draft budget initially called for a 6.7 per cent tax rate increase, Gilvesy says staff listened to concerns expressed by members of Council and worked very hard to find efficiencies for the ratepayer while still adhering to the Asset Management Plan.
“The 4.91% tax increase to Tillsonburg residents in the final 2024 budget compares favourably to the surrounding region,” says Gilvesy
“Municipalities across the province are being challenged by costs associated with updating aging infrastructure, continued growth and underfunding in previous years,” explains CAO Kyle Pratt. “It’s a theme we heard many times at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference in January.”
The Town’s overall budget for 2024 is $51.8 million, with $23 million allocated to capital projects. By comparison, the overall budget in 2023 was $35.6 million, with $7.2 million allocated to capital projects.
Highlights of the 2024 capital budget include:
- Beach Boulevard - retaining wall reconstruction
- Young Street – road surfacing
- Devonshire Avenue – culvert replacement
- Charlotte Avenue & Clarence Street – road reconstruction
- Townline Rd – road reconstruction
- Completion of the Aquatics rehabilitation project at the Community Centre
- Completion of upgrades to the Lake Lisgar Waterpark Bath House
“Service excellence to the public, continuous improvement from an operational perspective and responsible capital investment in infrastructure remained important considerations during the budget process,” says Gilvesy.
“Local taxes, development charges, user fees and partnership funding from other levels of government are all essential considerations in facilitating the ongoing implementation of our 2021-2030 Community Strategic Plan,” adds Pratt. “This year’s budget also includes both 10-year capital and 4-year operating forecasts.”
Taxpayers had the opportunity to provide input to Council on 2024 budget priorities through an online budget survey conducted by Oxford County.
“We continue to work toward an open and transparent environment where all stakeholders have the opportunity to be heard,” says Mayor Gilvesy.
Departmental business plan highlights include:
- Continued implementation of the 2021-2030 Community Strategic Plan
- Adoption and implementation of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan
- Development of a Transportation Master Plan
- Implementation of a Fire Master Plan
- Continued progress on healthcare/physician recruitment
- Affordable and attainable housing initiative
“This is a very responsible budget in an increasingly difficult economic environment,” says Renato Pullia, Interim Director of Finance / Treasurer. “It respects the current economic conditions with a modest tax rate increase, addresses the short to medium term priorities, while at the same time setting a path for ongoing longer term infrastructure renewal.”