Trust me, not every story is going to be about taxes, it’s just that this week turned out to be the time local politicians set their 2024 budgets.
On Wednesday, Northumberland County Council approved a three-year budget plan that will see increases of 6.57 per cent for 2024, 8.64 per cent for 2025, and 8.86 per cent for 2026.
The county had directed staff to develop budgets for each year aiming at 4 per cent increases for the base levy, but those targets proved impossible to hit. In fact, the base increases are 4.57 per cent in 2024, 6.64 per cent in 2025, and 6.86 per cent in 2026. With inflation now almost under control and interest rates expected to start dropping next year, those 6 per cent hikes may see awfully high in future years.
For 2024, the owner of a median-assessed home in Northumberland can anticipate paying $1,463.28, based on an estimated $91.45 increase on the county portion of their property taxes, the county said,
During the budget discussion on Wednesday, Cramahe Township Mayor Mandy Martin noted that the province is sitting on $1 billion in unspent money for social housing but instead has downloaded that cost onto the county. As well, she said Northumberland has added a 12-hour paramedic crew and ambulance because lack of proper funding for medical care from the province.
Trent Hills Mayor Bob Crate said the county is providing services that residents have said they want, but given rising costs it may have to “ask if there is something they can do without.”
Design work continues on the Hector Macmillan Bridge to be built in Campbellford. The schedule currently calls for a contract to be prepared late next year with construction in 2025.
While there is a three-year plan, there will be annual reviews to make changes to respond to new policies, or changing circumstances.
Of the total 2024 county budget, 34 per cent comes from tax levy dollars, while 66 per cent comes from reserves, service fees, and other funding sources such as grants. Details are available at Northumberland.ca/Budget.