Grey County council has given initial approval to the 2019 budget following a special workshop.
The budget is expected to be formally passed with a by-law at the next meeting of County Council on February 28.
Grey County Warden Selwyn Hicks said the budget supports council's vision.
“The 2019 budget continues to support our focus of growing the local economy, providing high-quality services and supporting healthy and connected communities,” said Hicks. “Council and staff have worked together to ensure the 2019 budget is future focused and meets our operational needs at a cost that is reasonable to residents.”
The county levy is up 1.75 per cent to $57.2 million. This increase equals $6.14 for every $100,000 of residential property assessment and comes in below the 2018 Ontario inflation rate of 2.3 per cent, as reported by Statistics Canada.
Highlights include developing a skills training and trades hub at the former Sydenham School, adding another 109 rent geared to income units, and spending an extra million on roads. The budget also invests in operating the new Chatsworth paramedic base to improve response times in the Chatsworth area and Continues to save for the redevelopment of Rockwood Terrace in Durham
Grey County delivers a wide range of services to residents. The County maintains 877km of roads, operates three long-term-care homes with 316 beds, helps hundreds of families access affordable childcare and provides affordable housing to families and individuals in most need. Other public services include the administration of social service programs like Ontario Works, paramedic services, planning, economic development, tourism, heritage, Provincial Offences Administration (POA) and many more.
Grey County Budget pie chart.
Full draft budget details are available on Grey County’s website at www.Grey.ca/budget.