At their final meeting of the year, Municipality of Port Hope Council approved the 2022 Operating and Capital budgets.
“This budget shows investments in areas important to the community,” explains Bob Sanderson, Mayor of the Municipality of Port Hope. “Council and staff remained aware of the fiscal challenges of the global pandemic, that are still ongoing in our community and maintained a fiscally responsible approach, while supporting the goals of the Strategic Plan.”
The 2022 budget provides the delivery of the following service and project highlights:
- Over $4.2 million in Strategic Plan advancements, including a Climate Change Plan, Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Grant Funding, $1.3M towards the development of a new Seniors Centre, additional Community Grant funding, trail paving and lighting, affordable housing considerations, Waterfront and Riverwalk Master Plan and the addition of a heritage planner, among other Strategic Plan initiatives.
- Over $13 million in capital project highlights, including Walton Street reconstruction project, Rose Glen Road reconstruction project, and an increased rural roads resurfacing program, along with other items.
- $75,000 in funding for additional Council initiatives, which can be applied at the discretion of Council to further advance future strategic projects.
The approved budget results in an estimated $85 annual municipal tax increase for a typical existing residential property in the Urban Area and a $125 annual municipal tax increase for a typical existing Rural Area residential property. It also incorporates the 10-year tax allocation phase-in adjustment, which will be completed in 2024.
After months of budget discussions, the Finance Committee deliberated for two full days, on December 13 and 16, 2021, in a publicly advertised meeting. Due to the ongoing pandemic, this meeting was conducted over Zoom video conference and live streamed on YouTube.
A community consultation process was undertaken as part of the budgeting process and comments from the public were considered by Council and staff prior to final approval of the 2022 Budget. Feedback from the community resulted in Council including funding to undertake a Climate Action and Mitigation Plan and hire a heritage planner. The input also encouraged Council to prioritize the reconstruction of Rose Glen Road to the capital projects while deferring Victoria Street South to a later year.
The 2022 Operating and Capital budgets, which includes the Library and Police budgets, and the budget development documents are available on the Budget and Finances webpage.
2021-12-23
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