COUNTY OF WELLINGTON – The County of Wellington is projecting a 2.5 per cent increase in the tax levy on their portion of resident’s taxes for 2021.
Wellington County resident’s taxes are split between the upper-tier county government, the township and education.
The county gets the highest portion of the three.
A report to county council is estimating 2021’s operating budget to be $232.9 million.
County social services, who also service Guelph residents, accounts for the highest portion of the operating budget at 40 per cent.
Capital expenses are estimated at $34.4 million in 2021. This will largely go toward roads projects which $22.1 million in projects are planned.
The report also lays out the impact COVID had on this budget and on 2020.
COVID expenses are estimated to run at over $750,000 which will be funded through grants and subsidies from senior levels of government.
This will leave the county with just under $100,000 unspent of the $2.8 million received from the federal Safe Restart Agreement funding.
The report showed the county experienced approximately $6.6 million in costs from COVID.
Over $2 million of this was for emergency shelter and motel costs for homeless residents and another $2 million was used for increased community supports such as child care.
Other costs incurred from COVID include:
- $900,000 for pandemic pay and personal support worker top up
- $350,000 on cleaning supplies
- $300,000 on PPE
- $200,000 on additional paramedic costs
- $130,000 on it and remote work related costs
- $450,000 approx on other expenses
The county also lost $1 million in revenue from lost user fees, court revenue, recycling sales and room or event rentals.
Cost mitigation was taken early by delaying new hires, lower costs from working from home, lower programming costs and not hiring many seasonal workers.
This report will be presented to county council at a special meeting on Monday.
