Lakeshore to present draft 2025 budget with public feedback opportunity

December 15, 2024 Web Desk

By: Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

The Municipality of Lakeshore’s draft 2025 budget was presented to the Council, with deliberations scheduled for January 23 and 24.

The 2025 Budget is now accessible online through Lakeshore’s interactive digital Budget App. The app, recognized in 2024 by the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks, and Treasurers of Ontario for its innovation, includes new features such as detailed funding breakdowns for services, guiding documents informing the budget and a summary of changes affecting the tax rate.

The draft budget highlights financial pressures from inflation, delays in updating property assessments, and increasing service demands, including those outlined in the Water and Wastewater and Fire Master Plan. The proposed tax, water, and wastewater rate increases would result in an average monthly impact of $20.42 for property owners. Despite the proposed increase, Lakeshore would maintain one of the lowest tax rates in Essex County.

“Lakeshore is facing significant financial pressures on several fronts. Our water and wastewater systems, for instance, have been underfunded over the past two decades and require investments to protect the environment, keep our drinking water safe, and provide sewer systems to meet demand,” said Mayor Tracey Bailey.

“With those pressures in mind, along with the understanding that many of our residents are struggling to make ends meet, Council is dedicated to deliberating on these decisions in an open and transparent process.”

Council’s deliberations will begin at 10 a.m. on January 23, with additional time set aside on January 24 if necessary. Mayor Bailey encouraged residents and local partners to review the draft budget and share their feedback. “With the draft budget available well before our deliberations, we hope residents and local partners take the opportunity to learn and provide feedback to Council,” Mayor Bailey said.

“Budget deliberations are one of our most significant decision-making processes, and they have a direct impact on our communities and their future. We look forward to these important discussions that will happen both in Council chambers and throughout Lakeshore.”

Draft Budget Highlights

Total expenditures: $66.1 million, up from $60.7 million in 2024

Reserve contributions: $32.7 million

Reserve withdrawals: $43 million

Recoveries (non-property tax revenue): $21.6 million, up from $19.8 million in 2024

Tax revenue: $44.4 million, a $3.6 million increase from 2024

Major 2025 Capital Projects

Comber Watermain Replacement – Phase 1: $8 million

Rochester Watermain Replacement: $3.7 million

Stoney Point Community Park Construction: $3.5 million

County Road 22 Sanitary Trunk Upgrades: $3.07 million

2025 Bridge Rehabilitation Program: $2.4 million

Fire Truck Replacement – Tanker 2 and Engine 5: $2.07 million

Lifecycle Asphalt Replacement: $1.9 million

Regional and Reserve Impact

Lakeshore continues to have one of the lowest tax rate increases in the region despite reversing one-time reserve measures approved in 2024. These reversals accounted for 4.8% of the proposed 2025 tax rate increase.

Residents are encouraged to explore the budget through the online app and participate in shaping the discussions that will guide Lakeshore’s financial priorities for the coming year.

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