Budget

If you missed the Committee of the Whole (Pre-Budget) meeting on Monday, June 21, view the 2022 Budget Directions Report and presentation to council here.

The approved 2021 Budget with a 1.33% increase in taxation represents a balance between meeting the needs of our growing community and the challenges of a global public health pandemic. A residential property in Centre Wellington assessed at $381,095 (2021 value) will pay an additional $15 in 2021 as a result of the Township’s budget.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is placing considerable pressure on the Township’s financial position.  Net revenue reductions as a result of the pandemic in 2020, will continue into 2021.  Significant impacts are in Community Services’ programming revenue and investment revenue.  However a significant portion of these impacts have been offset by cost savings across the Township and contributions from the Federal and Provincial governments under the Safe Restart Program. 

2021 Budget Highlights

• A 0% wage increase as per the Employee Memorandum of Agreements with the Township’s Staff Association and two Volunteer Firefighter Associations.
• Two permanent full-time positions approved will be shared positions with neighbouring municipalities.  This allows for resource sharing and a lower cost to each municipality.
• Replacement of Fifth Line culvert (structure 4-WG).
• Repaving of Eighth Line W from Middlebrook Road to WR 18.
• Replacement of the watermain on Hill St. E from Gowrie St. to Cameron St. (Fergus).
• Replacement of the ice pad at the Elora Community Centre.
• Servicing of employment lands on Dickson Drive (Fergus).

Read the full media release here.

The approved 2020 Budget tax increase is 2.7% ($30) plus an increase to the Bridge Rebuilding Capital Levy equal to 2% ($22) for a total tax increase of 4.7% ($52) on the average assessment for a residential property of $377,425.  Since introducing the 2% Bridge Rebuilding Capital Levy in 2014, the Township remains on track to build/rebuild 21 bridges in only 8 years.

Council also approved a new OLG Funding Allocation Policy which set direction for these funds to be used in the year following receipt.  It also outlined that;

• 88% of the OLG funds will be used to fund Township Capital, to a maximum of $2.2 million
• 5% to be directed to fund Arts, Culture and Heritage.
• Any remaining dollars will fund Economic Development. 

 2020 Capital Project highlights include:

1. Replacement of Third Line bridge (24-P)
2. Pier Repointing and Lighting on the Jack R. MacDonald Pedestrian Bridge
3. Rehabilitation of First Line Bridge (23-WG)
4. Design, approvals and construction of a new corporate operations facility
5. Middlebrook Road from Third Line to WR 7 asphalt resurfacing
6. Rural road rebuild and upgrades – application of additional maintenance gravel
7. Long-term water supply strategy implementation – Phase II Groundwater Investigation Study
8. Additional water capacity for Wells F2 and F5
9. Installation of play equipment, landscaping and trail development at Forfar Park
10. A one year downtown Fergus and Elora 3 hour parking enforcement trial program
11. Through the Township’s staffing strategy, one new Roads Operator, two seasonal employees to be shared between the Parks and Public Work divisions, and a Manager of Engineering Services will be hired through the tax-supported budget. 

Missed 2020 Budget deliberations?  View staff's presentation here.  

Read the full media release here.

Council has approved the 2019 Operating and Capital budgets, investing in the services that reflect the priorities of our residents and the future of Centre Wellington.  The 2019 proposed tax increase is 2.05% ($21.29) plus an increase to the bridge rebuilding levy equal to 2% ($20.76) for a total tax increase of 4.05% ($42.05) on the average assessment for a residential property of $372,746.

For the first time, the Township provided a 3-year operating forecast as part of the budget process. This forecast provided a high-level look at the Township’s anticipated tax-supported operating needs to 2021.

 2019 budget highlights:

• Long-term water supply strategy implementation – Phase I well optimization
• Long-term water supply strategy implementation – Phase II groundwater exploration
• Elora fire station renovation/expansion
• Rehabilitation of Fifth Line Bridge
• Pier repointing and lighting on the Victoria Street Pedestrian Bridge
• Replacement of Fourth Line Bridge
• Reconstruction of York and High Streets including underground services external to the Granwood development on the South-West side of Elora
• Feasibility study for an Indoor Training Facility
• Replacement of Splash Pad and play equipment and a new washroom in O’Brien Park
• Continuation of the multi-year pavement management program to replace small sections of pavement
• Installation of play equipment in Revell Park
• Replacement of the Fergus Wastewater Treatment Plant secondary digester roof

As the Township grows and extends current levels of service to these new areas, there will be a need for staffing levels to increase.  The following positions were approved in the 2019 budget; 6 Volunteer Firefighters, a part-time Customer Service Representative, a Legislated Services Coordinator and a part time Digital Media Associate for Elora Fergus Tourism. 

The 2% bridge rebuilding levy has helped to rehabilitate or reconstruct 9 bridges in the last term of Council and is projected to rehabilitate or reconstruct 12 additional bridges in this term of Council (2018-2022). In addition the planning and approval process for these bridges is funded from the capital levy. In 2019 the following bridges will be reconstructed or rehabilitated at an estimated costs of $2.17 million;

• Fourth Line bridge in former Pilkington will be replaced

• Fifth Line bridge in former Eramosa will be rehabilitated

• Victoria Street Pedestrian Bridge in Elora will have the piers repointed and new lighting

• Design and approvals for the following bridges to be implemented in 2020

  • Sideroad 4 bridge in former Pilkington will be rehabilitated

  • First line bridge in former West Garafraxa will be rehabilitated

  • Third Line bridge in former Pilkington will be replaced

  • Middlebrook Place Boundary Road Culvert will be replaced. This is a joint project with the Township of Woolwich

  • Environmental Assessments for two bowstring bridges on First Line and Fifth Line in West Garafraxa are underway

Township of Centre Wellington 2019 Budget Document

View staff's 2019 budget presentation to council.

For a visual depiction of some of the key 2019 Township Projects please view our 2019 Budget Story Map

The Township collects the taxes for the County of Wellington and the Province of Ontario (Education Taxes).  They are broken down in the following way:

Township of Centre Wellington 2018 Budget Document

Township of Centre Wellington 2017 Budget Document

Township of Centre Wellington 2016 Budget Document

Township of Centre Wellington 2015 Budget Document

Township of Centre Wellington 2014 Budget Document