Elgin County Council Remains Committed to Delivering High-Quality Services while Keeping Tax Increases to a Minimum

Central Elgin, ON – On March 28, 2023, Elgin County Council approved its 2023 operational and capital budget of $92.6M. For this year, residents can expect a 3.76% increase in the County portion of their municipal property taxes. This share of municipal taxes supports road and bridge maintenance on county roads, paramedic services, community planning, long-term care homes, libraries, and more. Homeowners will see a slight addition of $23.88 for every $100,000 of residential property assessment.

Elgin County’s 2023 budget includes costs related to government-mandated services that Elgin is required to address, funding needs, and service commitments. With staggering inflation rates affecting all sectors, there is little room for adjustments and cuts within Elgin’s 2023 budget, while maintaining service level commitments.

In light of these challenges, Elgin County Council remains committed to providing its residents with exceptional services while keeping tax increases to a minimum. This year’s budget can be identified as mainly a maintenance budget that will meet Elgin County’s needs for 2023.

“County Council recognizes that these are difficult times for our residents and businesses,” said Elgin County Warden Ed Ketchabaw. “We are tasked with delivering a wide range of services with limited ways to raise revenues. As such, we have worked closely with members of the public and County staff to develop a budget that places emphasis on essential priorities and necessary projects that will benefit our communities.”

Budget Highlights:

• Continuing with existing services and operations, including a non-union salary increase of 2.5%;
• Enhanced land ambulance services through the implementation of a transport-capable ambulance in the Municipality of Bayham;
• Recognizing the impact of a high rate of inflation, cost-cutting measures and efforts to modernize services are included across service areas; and
• Ongoing investment in transportation and critical infrastructure.

Elgin’s 2023 tax rate of 3.76% is possible due to recent real growth in assessment, operational efficiencies, and the deferral of some capital projects that should not impact service in the near term.

Elgin County Council encourages ratepayers to read through the 2023 Budget Document to better understand how the 2023 tax rate was determined and how Elgin County will meet its commitments in the coming year.

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For additional information, please contact:

Warden Ed Ketchabaw
warden@elgin.ca
519-619-8432