Tyendinaga Township Mayor Claire Kennelly said in February that a draft budget is not the final budget. Boy was he right.
About three months ago, staff in the municipality released a draft budget for 2024, which proposed a 19.74 per cent tax increase.
Council went to work and were able to knock the final number down to 6.85 per cent.
The budget was approved by Tyendinaga Township Council on May 1.
Treasurer Anne-Marie Goulah tells Quinte News, “High inflation has presented challenges for people at home and municipalities across Ontario and Canada, and we remain committed to being fiscally responsible while maintaining service levels.”
The increase encompasses a municipal levy of $3,999,435, County of Hastings levy of $1,572,122 and Education taxes of $926,856.
The 2023 budget had a municipal levy of $3,593,348, County of Hastings levy of $1,460,946 and Education taxes of $908,880.
Some major 2024 projects include: road resurfacing of a portion of Shannonville Road, a portion of Old Highway 2 and Cross Road; legislated Pay Equity Review and Wage Market Comparison; traffic calming in the three school zones; expected delivery of a fire pumper (approved in 2022) and redevelopment of recreation grounds tennis court.
The budget also allotted $100,000 to reserves for the future needs of the municipality.
The tax increase will be about $175 on each $200,000 worth of residential property value.
