West Grey’s 2024 budget makes long-term investments in community building and milestone projects

WEST GREY, ON – With major projects planned throughout the municipality, West Grey’s 2024 budget is focused on investing in long-term initiatives as well as planning for two significant capital projects: West Grey Police Services’ new headquarters and West Grey’s portion of the engineering and construction needs for the new Rockwood Terrace long-term care facility.

“Setting the annual municipal budget can be a complicated undertaking,” said West Grey mayor Kevin Eccles.  “However, throughout the process, West Grey council was focused on ensuring we meet the needs of West Grey today and into the future. We are facing some milestone projects this year and this budget enables us to keep these projects moving forward.”

Mayor Eccles noted that the tax increase of 9.7% is due, in part, to pressures beyond municipal control, including inflation, unavoidable increases in insurance and operating expenses, and the general increase in goods and services, like essential fleet and materials.

“It is important to note, as well, that this budget includes contributions to our municipal reserves, while maintaining service levels,” Mayor Eccles added.

In total, West Grey’s capital and operating budget is just over $29 million.  For the residential ratepayer, the 2024 increase represents an additional $71.86 per $100,000 assessment, based on 2016 assessments.

The budget includes the following projects:

• New police station tendering and construction
• Engineering and construction associated with Rockwood Terrace
• Grader to the Glenelg depot
• Neustadt water tower refurbishment
• Replacement of ball diamond lights in Neustadt
• Accessible doors and ramps for the Ayton library
• New camera equipment for council chamber webcasting.

For more details, visit westgrey.com/budget.