New Interactive Budget Tool Gives Scugog Residents a Voice in 2027 Spending Plans

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

SCUGOG: Residents will have a chance to help decide where municipal dollars should be spent next year, as public consultation gets underway, for the Township of Scugog's 2027 budget.

Municipal officials are encouraging residents and property owners to share their priorities, through a new online engagement platform, complete a community survey, and participate in one of three public town hall meetings, next week.

Each year, Scugog prepares both Operating and Capital budgets to fund the programs, services, and infrastructure residents rely on. The annual budget process balances community needs with economic pressures, population growth, service delivery, infrastructure requirements, and long-term asset management.

Maintaining the Township's long-term financial sustainability remains a key priority, particularly as municipalities across Canada continue to grapple with aging infrastructure and growing replacement costs.

Dedicated infrastructure levies, introduced in recent years, have helped fund significant capital projects while supporting continued investments in roads, bridges, sidewalks, parks, playgrounds, technology, and other community assets.

This year's consultation introduces a new interactive feature, designed to give residents a better understanding of the budgeting process.

Through the Township's online budget engagement page, participants can complete a survey and experiment with interactive Capital and Operating Budget Builder tools. Users are given a fixed budget and asked to allocate funding across various municipal departments and service areas, forcing them to weigh competing priorities without exceeding available resources.

The results will help identify which services and investments are most important to residents, as staff prepare the proposed 2027 budget.

The online project page also includes, information explaining how municipal budgets are developed, key dates in the budget process, budget facts, frequently asked questions and an opportunity for residents to submit questions directly to finance staff.

"This year, as part of the 2027 budget preparations, I have asked staff to: prioritize maintaining services, with a budget increase no greater than the current Consumer Price Index; prioritize the completion of capital projects, identified in the forecast; focus on asset management, ensuring asset replacement is absolutely required before it is pursued; and develop a 10-year capital forecast for future budgets," said Mayor Wilma Wotten. "We want to keep costs to the resident as low as we can, and ensure our assets and infrastructure are in proper shape, without unnecessary expenses."

Residents will also have opportunities to discuss the budget, in person, during three public town hall meetings. The meetings are scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m.: Monday, July 20th, at Greenbank Hall; Tuesday, July 21st, at the Scugog Memorial Public Library, in Port Perry; and Wednesday, July 22nd, at Nestleton Hall.

The proposed budget will be prepared during the current 2022-2026 term of council. However, because the municipal election will take place before the budget is finalized, the newly elected council will have the opportunity to review, amend, or veto the proposed budget following the election.

Local residents say, the consultation process offers an important opportunity for the community to help shape future spending priorities.

"With the cost of living continuing to rise, I think residents want to see every tax dollar spent wisely," said Port Perry’s Lisa Morgan. "Road maintenance and keeping our existing facilities in good condition should come before taking on new projects."

Greenbank resident, David Campbell said, the interactive budgeting tool could help people better understand the difficult choices council faces.

"It's easy to say we want everything, but once you actually have to balance the budget yourself, you realize every decision involves trade-offs," he said. "Hopefully, more people will take part, because everyone's priorities are a little different."

Meanwhile, Nestleton-area homeowner, Karen Hughes said, "We all want safe roads, reliable bridges, and quality parks, but affordability matters too.” Adding, “It's encouraging the Township is asking residents where they think the priorities should be, before decisions are made."

Township staff noted, the feedback collected through the online survey, budget builder exercises, and public meetings will be reviewed and considered, as staff finalize the draft 2027 budget for council's consideration later this year.