Mapleton council passes budget with a tax reduction

TWP. OF MAPLETON – Mapleton council has approved a 2021 budget that includes a reduction in municipal taxes for residents. 

A press release from the township said the budget, approved at a Jan. 4 meeting, has a zero per cent increase in the tax levy leading to a reduction in the municipality’s tax burden.

The township portion of the tax bill will have a slight decrease of around $10 per $100,000 of assessment.

Mapleton’s 2021 budget totals $13.6 million.

Capital projects in the 2021 budget are $5 million in water and wastewater expansion projects including upgrades to water well supply capacity, upgrades to the wastewater pumping station and the Drayton water tower–which is expected to be finished in 2022

There is also over $3 million in road, sidewalk and bridge infrastructure projects slated for 2021 throughout the township.

“This budget furthers the township’s long term finance plans by way of promoting modest growth that will, over time, ensure and moderate the tax burden downwards and still provide for the sustainability of the township’s roads, bridges and other assets,” a press release from the township says. 

The Township of Mapleton is the only municipality in the county that has featured a tax reduction with the 2021 budget so far. 

Any reduction may be offset by a tax increase from the County of Wellington which is a higher percentage of residents’ taxes.

The last projection was a 2.5 per cent increase on the county’s levy.

County council’s next budget meeting is on Monday.

County of Wellington clerk Donna Bryce explained via email that Monday's meeting will provide an overview of the budget and committees of each department will consider their particular budget at meetings this month. 

County council is then expected to approve the budget at the Jan. 28 meeting.