Penetanguishene Council Approves 2023 Budget

At last evening's Council meeting, Penetanguishene Council approved the 2023 operating and capital budgets and the 2024 capital budget totaling $24 million ($14 million operating & $10 million capital). Town staff worked closely with Council to provide opportunities for public input and developed a budget that maintained or enhanced service levels, focused on key areas such as roads and sidewalks that the public and Council identified as priorities, and kept the tax rate increase below the current rate of inflation.  After much hard work, the approved budget resulted in an increase of 4% or $468,492 to the municipal tax levy (2% Operating; 1.8% Capital, and 0.2% Policing).

Finance & Corporate Services Chair, Councillor Bonita Desroches stated “I am extremely pleased with the 2023 budget process to get to this point.  There was a lot of good discussion around the table as we debated the financial decisions before us.  In the end, I feel this budget enhances our core municipal functions and infrastructure, supports our staff, reduces debt, and continues to reduce the impact from policing costs while keeping the overall tax rate below the current rate of inflation”.

Some notable capital projects to be completed in 2023 & 2024 include:

• Reconstruction of Harriet Street (Edward to Jeffery);
• Preventative Maintenance Resurfacing on Robert St E & W;
• Intersection Upgrades at Fuller Ave & Robert St E;
• Peel Street Re-Design;
• Intersection Engineering & Design at Dufferin, Burke & Robert St E;
• Navy Lane Drainage Improvements;
• Housing & Green Housing Community Improvement Plan;
• Town Gateway Reconstruction;
• Martin Valley Park Development; and
• Library Lower Level Development.

Council has approved a $14 mil total operating budget.  Upgrading technology, online services, communications, and youth recreation programming continues to be a priority.  Free public skating and a recreation subsidy program for low-income families will continue in 2023.  Included in the total operating budget is net policing costs of $2 mil after a reduction from the tax stabilization reserve.  Also included is $4.5 mil for the Water, Wastewater, and Building Department rate-supported divisions.

The overall tax impact estimate is 3.5% or $51.16 per 100,000 of typical residential assessment.  When the County and Provincial tax rates are received, the Town will finalize the 2023 tax rates.

“Council has approved a $24 mil budget for 2023 operating and capital and our 2024 capital investment.  This will allow us to continue to deliver a high level of service that our residents deserve and to focus on investing in our infrastructure over the next two years.  We certainly appreciate the community’s involvement and the input received during the budget process.  Ongoing communication with our residents and making them feel heard is definitely a priority of this Council,” said Mayor Doug Rawson.