PUSLINCH - Council passed the 2022 operating and capital budget of $4.6 million with a 3.83 per cent township property tax increase.
At Wednesday’s virtual meeting, council approved the 3.83 per cent township property tax increase, which translates to an annual increase of $40 for the township portion of the property tax bill on a typical single family home valued at $604,700.
Blended with the approved 2 per cent increase in the county tax rate, Puslinch residents are looking at an average increase of $116 property tax increase. The blended tax increase per $100,000 of residential assessment value is approximately $19 annually, says township treasurer Mary Hasan.
The approved 2022 budget totals to $4,663,338 with a capital budget of $1,460,100 and an operating budget of $3,203,288.
From council’s directions at the Jan. 13 budget meeting, township staff was able to make the following changes to the budget:
- Re-allocated $50,000 for the gravel roads improvement from the 2022 budget to 2031’s;
- Use $5,000 of the initial $25,000 budget for the highway 401 and highway 6 review of hotspots project in 2022 and use the remaining $20,000 in 2023;
- Approved a 4 per cent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for township staff resulting in a $48,976 budget increase
Also, over $1.8 million was invested in roads, bridges, culverts, and stormwater management facilities to maintain a safe and efficient transportation network across the township.
Some of the 2022 road improvements include Leslie Road West, Kerr Crescent Stormwater Management Facility, Carriage Lane Stormwater Management Facility, Gilmour Culvert, Little’s Bridge, Concession 1 Culvert, and Concession 7 paving.
Enhancements to township parks and facilities are also included in the capital budget such as the park renovation and upgrades to the Puslinch Community Centre; the replacement of Morriston Meadows bleachers; LED lighting upgrades at township facilities; and municipal office upgrades.
