The municipal budget is a crucial policy and planning document that highlights our municipality’s priorities for services, programs, and infrastructure. Crafting the budget involves balancing often competing priorities: delivering the high level of services that residents expect and deserve, while also considering what is financially feasible.

Each year, municipal staff present a draft preliminary budget for public feedback. This budget is divided into two parts: the operations budget, which covers the municipality’s day-to-day services, and the capital budget, which funds large infrastructure and long-term projects. The Mayor and Council, with input from Loyalist Township residents and businesses, decide which municipal services, programs, and infrastructure projects will be included in the final budget.

Notice of intention to adopt the 2025 Budget

On November 21st, the Committee of the Whole recommended the 2025 Draft Budget be brought forth to Council for adoption. After thorough deliberations, the final tax rate, which includes a 3.56% increase for Township services, was agreed upon. Like many other municipalities, Loyalist Township is faced with a substantial increase (21%) to the OPP contract rate for 2025. This increase set by the OPP impacts the Township budget by an additional 2.34%, resulting in an overall 5.9% increase to the Township tax levy.

Revised levy requirement following public input and Council deliberations

Notice is provided that Loyalist Township Council intends to enact a By-law to adopt the 2025 Municipal Budget at its Regular Meeting scheduled for December 10, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting at the Municipal Office, or watch the livestream of the meeting on the Township Council Portal.

Council would like to express their sincere appreciation to the members of the public who attended the budget meetings and those that contributed to the consultation process through budget surveys. Reports detailing the feedback received through public consultation can be found in the Document Library on the right side of this page.

Budget information

In preparing the 2025 draft budget, staff have balanced a variety of pressures, with the goal of continuing to provide high quality services to residents and businesses while being fiscally responsible. It is built on a foundation of transparency, public input, and strategic planning, ensuring that we address both immediate needs and future challenges. Through this budget, we aim to foster a strong local economy, improve quality of life, enhance public safety, and protect the environment, all while maintaining the Township’s financial health.

Residents are encouraged to explore the presentation files that were prepared and shared as part of day 1 and day 2 of budget deliberations.

Where do your property taxes go?

Thank you to all members of the public who attended the budget meetings and those that contributed to the consultation process through budget surveys. A summary of the public consultation feedback received through the initial budget survey and the draft budget feedback form, can be found on the right side of the page under the Document Library heading.