Grey County's budget is focussed on maintaing services and investing in road infrastructure.
The County met Friday as committe of the whole, and the recommondation of a 1.26% tax levy increase wll go to the February 13 council meeting.
The increase of 1.26% on a budget of $157.5 million works out to roughly a $14.48 increase on the average household.
“Overall, Council was pleased with the budget staff presented,” said Grey County Warden Paul McQueen in a release from Grey County. “Inflationary increases and reductions in Provincial funding are adding more pressure to the municipal tax dollar. We believe a 1.26% increase to the levy is both necessary and fair to continue providing services and moving the County forward.”
Provincial funding is about $1 million less compared to 2019.
New construction is on the rise and will generate roughly $1.85 million in new tax revenue and will help in reduce the tax rate.
Major road projects on the agenda for 2020 include those affecting Grey Roads 2, 9, 15, 19, 29.
Paramedic services will replace two ambulances and there will be more funding to extend the community paramedicine home visitation program to seven days per week.
In long-term care, additional staffing hours are being added to various roles to enhance personal care to residents and to expand some programs.
Grey County housing will administer funding to build around 54 units of affordable housing to the Owen Sound Housing Company build at Odawa Heights. There will also be continued support of homelessness prevention and emergency housing.
As for business support, the Sydenham Campus in Owen Sound will continue to develop into a regional skills training, trades and innovation hub. Campaigns will be led to promote workforce attraction and retention and local agri-tourism campaign will launch in 2020 promoting food-related business. It will be called 'Gather'.
Full details and more highlights of the 2020 budget can be found online at www.Grey.ca/Budget.