2023 Municipal Budget Passes

Tillsonburg Town Council passed the 2023 Municipal Budget at its February 13 meeting, approving a modest tax rate increase of 2.82 per cent.

An average Tillsonburg home with an assessed value of $237,000 will see an increase of $53.79 on the Town portion of their annual tax bill.

“Budget deliberations are always challenging, but especially this year given higher borrowing costs and inflation,” says Mayor Deb Gilvesy. “As a Council, and a corporation, we strive to seek a balance between planning for the future and addressing immediate needs.”

The Town’s overall budget for 2023 is $35.6 million, with $7.2 million allocated to capital projects.

Highlights of the capital budget include:

• Improvements to the Tillsonburg Community Centre and Annandale NHS
• Young Street Reconstruction
• Bayham Line Reconstruction
• New columbarium at Tillsonburg Cemetery
• Playground equipment replacements
• Storm and sanitary sewer upgrades

“Service excellence to the public, continuous improvement from an operational perspective and responsible capital investment in infrastructure were all important considerations during the budget process,” says Gilvesy.

“It’s important to make strategic use of all available funding sources to manage growth over the long-term,” says CAO Kyle Pratt. “The annual budget process, development charges and partnership funding from other levels of government all facilitate the ongoing implementation of our 2021-2030 Community Strategic Plan.”

Pratt notes this year’s budget also included both 10-year capital and 4-year operating forecasts for the first time in the Town’s history.

Taxpayers had the opportunity to provide input to Council on 2023 budget priorities through an online budget survey conducted between October 19 to November 11, 2022.

“We continue to work toward an open and transparent environment where all stakeholders have the opportunity to be heard,” says Mayor Gilvesy.

Departmental business plan highlights include:

• Continued implementation of the 2021-2030 Community Strategic Plan
• Advancement of Parks & Recreation Master Plan
• Advancement of a Transportation Master Plan
• Advancement of a Fire Master Plan
• Implementation of the Regional Airport Master Plan
• Advancement of Town Hall Initiative
• Local review for additional access to affordable and attainable housing

“This is a very responsible budget,” says Renato Pullia, Interim Director of Finance / Treasurer. “It respects the current economic conditions with a modest tax rate increase, addresses the short to medium term priorities, while at the same time setting a path for longer term infrastructure renewal.”

To learn more about the 2023 Budget, visit www.tillsonburg.ca/2023budget