Bluewater Council passes 2024 budget
Council of the Municipality of Bluewater adopted the 2024 budget at the March 4, 2024, Regular Meeting of Council after five budget meetings to discuss how the Municipality could strategically invest in critical services while keeping the tax rate increase as low as possible.
“As Council, we carefully consider the services we provide to our community, the cost to provide those services, and the impact of any tax increase on our residents,” stated Mayor Paul Klopp. “While we’d like to see zero increase to the tax rate, that isn’t realistic with inflation and current interest rates as they are, and our obligation to provide important services to our community and maintain all the critical assets we own. I’m confident that this budget balances community asks with service delivery needs in a fair and sustainable way.”
Our key investments this year focus on supporting service delivery and maintaining key infrastructure.
- Roads and bridges: $3.3 million will support infrastructure needs, including the expansion of the Stanley Public Works Shop.
- Recreation and Parks: $729,000 will be invested in the parks and facilities that allow our residents to lead healthy, active lifestyles and come together as a community.
- Fleet, Equipment, and Fire: $1 million will allow the Municipality to maintain the vehicles and machinery that is key to municipal operations.
- Pending hopeful grant funding, $9.2 million will support the expansion of the Bayfield Waste Water Treatment Plant.
What will this mean for taxpayers? The 2024 budget includes $21.6 million for operating and $15.6 million for capital. This sets the total Bluewater tax levy at $10 million, resulting in an overall municipal property tax rate increase of 6.7%.
Said Mayor Klopp, “Creating a budget that promotes sustainable growth and meets the needs of our community requires collaboration between Council and staff. Keeping these themes in mind has allowed us to work together to create a budget that is fair, responsible, and forward looking.”