Arran-Elderslie has approved its 2025 budget.
The $15.7 million spending plan for the year allocates $11.9 million to operating expenses that keep the municipality running and $3.8 million in capital expenses for projects.
It’s supported by $7.3 million in tax dollars which means an overall municipal property tax rate increase of 5 per cent and a blended rate increase of approximately 4.5 per cent when combined with the proposed Bruce County and school board rates.
It works out to about $45 more the average annual tax bill to cover the municipal levy.
A release from the municipality says, “The goal of municipal staff and council is to create a budget each year that balances the cost of providing services with affordability for residents. The 2025 budget responds to key needs in the community despite significant economic pressures and challenging infrastructure needs.”
Mayor Steve Hammell says in a statement, “Council and staff have worked hard to support various priorities in the 2025 Municipal budget. It reflects the balance of the cost of living and inflation with providing our residents with the service levels they expect from us and rely upon.”
Key projects include a new Paisley Firehall and Public Works Building, the reconstruction of 3rd Street SW in Chesley, Concession 6 in Elderslie and the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Sideroad 15 in Arran. Other items in the budget include a new plow truck for the Elderslie public works shop, ice chillers for the Paisley and Chesley Community Centres, a development charges review, a website redesign to make it more user friendly and accessible, and a review of the electoral system (ward vs at-large).