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.

Share your feedback on the 2025 Draft Budget

The 2025 Draft Budget has been published and is now available for review. As an important part of the budget process, we invite you share your feedback on the proposed budget. Here are ways to get involved:

Draft Budget Feedback Form

Review the 2025 Draft Budget and share your feedback on Engage Loyalist now through November 18, 2024.

Budget Meeting

When: Monday, November 18, 2024, 2 - 7 p.m.

Where: Attend the meeting in person at Loyalist Township Council Chambers (263 Main St., Odessa) or tune in online.

Anyone wishing to speak at the meeting may register in advance with the Clerks Division at clerk@loyalist.ca, or raise their hand when called upon by the Chair. If participating on Zoom, you can use the "raise hand" feature. Each person will have three minutes to address the Committee.

Additional Budget Meetings

Additional Budget Meetings have been scheduled for Thursday, November 21, 2024 and Monday, November 25, 2024 (if necessary).

For comments or questions about the budget, contact the Finance Department at budget@loyalist.ca

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.

The draft 2025 operating budget results in a Township levy requirement of $23,567,935. The 2025 levy requirement equates to a Township residential rate increase of 6.98%, with the remaining increase covered by growth in the assessment. Due to recently settled collective agreements within the OPP and changes in base call volumes, the new OPP contract rates for 2025 and the reconciliation of 2023 costs are resulting in an increase of more than $515,320 over 2024 rates or a 21% increase. The impact of this alone is a 2.3% increase in the tax rate.

As we present the 2025 Draft Budget Binder, we encourage ongoing dialogue and collaboration with residents, businesses, and community organizations.

Where do your property taxes go?

• Complete the budget survey below (the survey takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete)
• Ask us your budget questions by using the tool below or send an email to budget@loyalist.ca
• Attend Township budget meetings (in-person or virtually). Subscribe to meeting notifications on our Council Portal.