North Grenville’s Council adopted the 2024 Budget at the March 5, 2024 Council Meeting. The 2024 municipal budget reflects Council’s ongoing efforts to address community needs and priorities. An increase of 3.96% has been approved which enables the Municipality to meet its commitments, enhance services and ensure fiscal sustainability.
The Municipality’s 2024 Budget is $28 million, including capital and operating expenditures, with the assistance of approximately $3.5 million in grants and contributions from the provincial and federal governments. Through this budget, the Municipality will be able to continue its commitment to core infrastructure, including roads, bridges, fire protection, policing, parks and recreation, heritage, as well as arts and culture that make North Grenville an enjoyable place to live.
“We recognize that these are not easy times financially for many of our residents. Budget 2024 reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility while enabling ongoing investments in quality of life and crucial infrastructure, including North Grenville’s share of CR43 which is now underway after over a decade of planning,” noted Mayor Peckford.
Investments in key areas include:
- maintenance and improvements to municipal roads and bridges with a value of $3.5 million, plus $1.8 million each year for three years as part of North Grenville’s share of the expansion of CR 43 (for which construction begins in 2024);
- additional multi-use pathways, pedestrian crossings, and sidewalk improvements;
- ongoing investments in parks and recreational facilities, including Riverside Park’s newly established splash pad, outdoor rink and entirely renovated pool house; the establishment of a new neighbourhood park in Tempo, crucial lighting for North Grenville’s local football field on Kemptville Campus, enhanced winter and summer trails, as well as modest financial support to several arts, culture and sports groups; expansion of North Grenville’s on demand transit system, continued investments in physician recruitment and partnerships in affordable housing, particularly multi-residential units;
- preserving North Grenville’s heritage through long-awaited investments in some of our most cherished buildings, including Maplewood Hall and the Oxford-on-Rideau Township Hall;
- community investments in the Kemptville District Hospital, Victim Services, Kemptville Salvation Army Food Bank, Seniors Community transportation services, the Kemptville Youth Centre and the Beth Donovan Hospice;
- continued support for our local economic development and tourism promotion, including the support of key signature community events.
As a separate item, Council adopted the Water and Wastewater Budget on February 20, 2024, the costs of which are drawn exclusively from users of town water and sewer plus Development charges, and not the general tax base.
The majority of capital expenditures for water and wastewater in 2024 is dedicated to strategic, long-term investments in water and wastewater infrastructure to optimize the current system and expand the plant to meet the needs of our growing community.
This means balancing the need for critical infrastructure investments in an aging plant that is now thirty years old and requires upgrading, while at the same time maintaining affordable water rates. The Water and Wastewater operating and capital budgets are exclusively funded by user fees and development charges. As such, property taxes cannot and will never be utilized, as per provincial legislation.
“The investments highlighted in the 2024 Budget reflect the objectives of North Grenville’s Community Strategic Plan, including balanced environmentally sustainable growth, healthy community services, diverse and resilient economic development, efficient governance and service delivery, as well as sustaining a strong, connected and vibrant community,” added Deputy Mayor John Barclay.
The Municipality held two public consultations, one in-person as well as one virtual session, to provide residents and stakeholders the opportunity to engage in the budget process and provide their perspectives.
Details on the North Grenville 2024 Budget are available at: www.northgrenville.ca/budget.
