On June 14th Council agenda there is a staff report recommending directions and timelines for preparation of the 2022 budget. It’s recommended that the increase in tax levy will be no more then 3.2% and that staff will work to identify opportunities to reduce the increase to close to 0%. This aggressive goal does reflect what council has already indicated as a desire in response to the financial hardship of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s worthwhile to recall that there was a similar desire for 2021 and that indeed zero percent was achieved by delaying some capital programs and program changes; in addition, there was some government grants which we could access.

I think we need to go into this budget process with our eyes open in terms of the ultimate tax impact. The zero increase of for 2021 was achieved due to efficiencies in various staff processes.  Will there be similar opportunity again to harvest the “low hanging fruit” of such efficiencies?  The uncertainty on participation in the various Township programs with user fees will make any assumptions of revenue to be higher risk than usual. Similarly the magnitude of additional grants from government is uncertain. Finally, I think we need to be cautious about delaying programs or projects to the following year if the motivation is simply to avoid a tax increase in 2022 as that is simply delaying what is required or deemed appropriate. I am pleased to see that staff are targeting to have the budget approved before end of year as that enables best resource deployment and procurement for activities. As indicated in the months of September and October there will be public consultation.