Gananoque Town Council has approved their 2024 Operating and Capital Budgets.
The Budget was approved at the recent meeting held this week at Gananoque Town Hall.
The Budget will see a seven percent tax levy increase with the Operating Budget coming in at $24,756,166, which will include a transfer of reserves at $5,418,040.
The Third reading for final passage will take place at the Council meeting on February 6th.
During the Budget Meeting the following changes to the 2024 Budget were approved;
– The Council remuneration increase was changed from CPI to CUPE COLA resulting
in a budget decrease of $4,575.
– The Health Unit Levy was reallocated based on assessment growth, resulting in a
budget decrease of $28,806.
– The Police Services Budget was approved by the Board at an increase of 6.3%
which was an increase to the tax levy of $36,780 above the 5% included in the draft
as circulated.
– TLTI did not approve the required increase to the Arena Joint Services costs. They
voted to pay the Town the same amount that they contributed in 2023. This results
in an additional cost to the Town of $14,170.
– St. Lawrence Lodge approved an increase of 64% to the Municipal Levy which
resulted in a 135% increase to the Gananoque share. This increased the budget by
$34,386.
– The Library Board Municipal Grant was approved to increase 7.2% which increased
the draft budget by $4,780.
– Council voted to fund $34,760 toward creating a Communications officer position.
– Council voted to fund $96,200 toward creating Deputy Treasurer & Deputy Clerk
positions.
– Council voted to add $7,000 to the Elections budget to offset the potential levy to the
newly formed Elections Ontario.
(By: Tim Baltz)