County council meets at Shire Hall next week to pore over the 2024 draft budget proposal.

The exercise could take up to five days. It commences Monday evening at 7 p.m. with a budget overview presentation by Director of Finance Amanda Carter, and deputations from the public.

Council reconvenes at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, December 5 for in-depth presentations from staff and deliberation. Those presentations will be organized by service areas and led by directors. While time is blocked off for budget discussions to continue through Friday, December 8, that timeline could change.

DOUBLE DIGIT TAX HIKE

Council will have the final say on the 2024 property tax levy. Ms. Carter’s $77.8 million Operating Budget proposal calls for a 12.66 per cent increase, but that is prior to this year’s growth. It is a 10.7 per cent hike after taking into account a 1.75 per cent increase to the County’s tax base in 2023.

As tabled, the increase would mean an additional $109.47 per $100,000 in assessed home value.

WAGES AND CONTRACTS

Over two thirds of the proposed operating budget is designated for wages and benefits to provide services managed by the county (35.8 per cent or $29.9 million) and for contracted/professional services, equipment, supplies and materials (38.4 per cent or $29.9 million). Combined, those categories could see a $5.5 million increase over 2023.

The County is also looking at paying $16.9 million, or 21.7 per cent of its operating budget, for services provided by external agencies and boards such as the Board of Health and Prince Edward, Lennox & Addington Social Services.This figure is up $1 million over 2023 levels.

CAPITAL WORKS

In terms of Capital Projects, the County is considering a $120 million envelope. The lion’s share of that amount is $95 million for the redevelopment of the H. J. McFarland home. The County is including the project in this year’s budget in anticipation of provincial construction accelerator funds and no-interest loan programs offered by the province. These will need to be in place prior to the municipality undertaking the work.

The public can attend the meetings in person at the Shire Hall Council Chambers or follow along online:https://www.thecounty.ca/live-streaming/