Blind River council approved its 2024 budget with a tax increase of 6.96 per cent or $138.45 on an average home valued at $100,000.
The approval was made at the council meeting Monday evening following a detailed report on it from town treasurer director of finance Sue Dent.
Dent provided ElliotLakeToday with a summary of both the operating and capital budgets approved.
The total Operating Budget (excluding Water and Wastewater, which are fully user-funded) is $9,904,708. Included in this total are a number of amounts outside of the Town’s direct control:
- Algoma District Services Administration Board levy of $1,311,784 (estimated - an increase of 3.5% over 2023)
- OPP costs of $914,691 (an increase of 1.64% over 2023)
- Algoma Public Health levy of $146,684 (an increase of 6% over 2023)
- Contribution to Physician Recruitment of $9,540
“The Operating Budget also includes the contribution to the Blind River Public Library of $174,286 (an increase of 15.6 per cent over 2023). These five items alone account for 25.8 per cent of the total operating budget,” she said.
“As well as the regular day-to-day operations, 2024 will see the introduction of a new document management system, funding for Household Hazardous Waste Day and an update to our street condition database for Asset Management planning.”
The asset management plan provides council with an ongoing assessment of its assets and when work will be needed to upgrade them.
The Capital Budget is $10,434,707 and will be funded from the tax levy ($1.46M), grants (currently estimated at $3.59M), potential new debt (as required, based on actual grant funding) and contributions from Reserves ($668K).
The major project for 2024 is the reconstruction of Huron Street. This project will also include phase 1 of the New Water Source project, which will continue into 2025 and 2026.
For complete details and a list of all projects, residents can go to the town’s website at www.blindriver.ca/en/town-hall/budget-and-finance.aspx.