Budget Season Has Arrived, Draft Budget Documents Released

By Stephen Vance, Staff

It’s that time of year again. The Municipality of Meaford’s Draft Budgets for 2015 have now been made available on the municipal website, including:

• The 2015 Draft Tax Supported Operating Budget

  

• The 2015 Draft Tax Supported Capital Budget

• The 2015 Draft User Pay Supported Operating Budget

• The 2015 Draft User Pay Supported Capital Budget

The draft budget calls for an increase in funding of nearly $225,000 over 2014, which would translate into a 1.8 percent increase according to the municipality.

In addition to releasing the draft budget documents, the municipality also announced a series of public budget meetings beginning with the Monday January 12 council meeting at 3 pm.

On January 26 council will move their meeting to the Stone Tree Golf & Fitness Club for a 4 pm meeting that will be followed by a public engagement session at 9 pm.

The budget will also be discussed at a January 28 meeting at Woodford Hall from 7 to 9 pm.

In February council will meet to deliberate the 2015 capital and operating budgets on February 2 at 3 pm, and February 9 at 3 pm. Both meetings will be held in the council chamber. A mandatory public meeting will follow on the evening of February 9 at Meaford Hall.

According to the schedule posted on the municipal website, the budget is expected to be completed and approved by council by March 2.

Overview of the Tax Supported Operating Budget:

“A 1% change on the total levy is equivalent to $124,200. A 1% change in the tax rate is equivalent to $17 in taxes payable on the average residential property assessed at $233,000,” advised the municipality in a press release.

To review the complete 2015 Draft Budgets, you can visit www.meaford.ca//government/financial-services.html.