County of Simcoe council approved a $638-million budget at its Nov. 23 meeting, which focuses on the resources necessary to maintain existing services, support our continued recovery from the pandemic and address significant growth in our communities. The budget also includes strategic allocations that enable the county to continue to invest in services and assets such as Infrastructure, long-term care, paramedic services, affordable housing, the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, waste collections, transit, economic development, tourism and enhancements to the road network.
At the direction and approval of council, residents will see a two per cent increase on the county portion of their municipal property taxes in 2022. This represents an increase of approximately $5.47 per $100,000 property assessment across the region. To maintain a two per cent increase on municipal property taxes, the county will be utilizing some reserves.
The overall budget expenditures increased from 2021 to 2022 due to COVID-19 pressures, areas of growth, investment and initiatives directed by council to enhance service levels while increasing efficiencies.
“County council knows that since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, residents and local businesses have faced challenges,” said Warden George Cornell. “In 2021, the first budget of the pandemic, county council committed to not raising taxes and approved a zero per cent increase on the county’s portion of municipal taxes in order to help residents, families and businesses. This 2022 budget is a responsible budget, addressing rising costs to complete vital infrastructure and capital projects and enabling us to invest in our essential services and programs as growth continues. At the county, we employ long-term care nurses, PSWs, paramedics and staff working in employment assistance and affordable housing sectors. These essential services will continue to see increased demand in 2022 and beyond. Efficiencies in our operations, combined with the county’s prudent fiscal management, ensure that we can keep supporting our residents and communities while keeping our 2022 tax rate below inflation.”
The county maintains a strong financial position having received, for the eighth year in a row, an AA long-term issuer credit rating from S&P Global Ratings, a provider of high-quality market intelligence in the form of credit ratings and research. The 2022 budget ensures the county continues along this path of long-term fiscal stability and contains items that address areas of growth, as well as initiatives directed by council to enhance and maintain service levels for the region, support infrastructure, increase efficiencies, and prepare for the future of our region.
2022 budget highlights include:
Total County Expenditures for 2022: $638 million:
LTC – Homes and Seniors Services $104 million
• Paramedic Services $64 million
• Children Services $46 million
• Social Housing $102 million
• Ontario Works $88million
• Transportation and Engineering $57 million
• Solid Waste Management $77 million