Roads and snow removal lead 2027 budget priorities for Scugog residents

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

SCUGOG: If Scugog Council was looking for a clear message from residents, heading into the 2027 budget process, roads and infrastructure came through loud and clear.

Ninety-four percent of respondents, to the Township’s budget survey, identified roads, sidewalks, and infrastructure maintenance as a priority for 2027, making it by far the most frequently selected service area.

Winter maintenance was next, with 74 percent of respondents putting snow removal among their top priorities, followed by fire and emergency services, at 62 percent.

The results of the 2027 Budget Survey were received by Council, during its meeting, on Monday, September 14th.

The survey was open to residents, businesses, and stakeholders, from July 6th to August 14th, through the Township’s online engagement platform, drawing 86 responses.

The results also point to a desire to see existing infrastructure and core services maintained, before the Township takes on new discretionary projects.

Parks and recreation was identified as a priority, by 48 percent of respondents, followed by environmental protection, at 45 percent.

The emphasis on roads comes as respondents also gave the Township’s road maintenance an average rating of just 2.5 out of five, when asked to assess current service levels.

By comparison, fire and emergency services received the highest average rating, at 3.8, followed by snow removal, at 3.7, and parks and green spaces, at 3.6.

Planning, building, and development received the lowest average rating among the services surveyed, at 2.4.

The survey also revealed concerns about the value residents receive for their municipal tax dollars.

For every $100 in property taxes, the Township receives $32, while $54 goes to the Region of Durham and $14 goes to school boards.

When asked how satisfied they were with the value received from the Township portion, 57 percent of respondents expressed some level of dissatisfaction. Thirty-eight percent said they were somewhat or very satisfied.

Affordability and responsible spending were recurring themes in the written comments submitted with the survey.

Residents, who responded to the survey, raised concerns about property tax increases and the affordability of municipal services, particularly for seniors and those living on fixed incomes.

Suggestions included: reviewing staffing and administrative costs, reducing discretionary spending, limiting reliance on consultants, improving procurement and asset management, and exploring alternative revenue sources.

There was also considerable support for looking beyond traditional municipal service delivery.

Seventy-three percent of respondents said, they would support Scugog exploring shared staffing and service agreements with neighbouring municipalities, to save money and improve service delivery.

Examples included sharing legal counsel, grant-writing, and procurement services.

Communication was another theme running through the responses.

While residents identified social media, the Township website, and email as their main sources of information, the report noted calls for more frequent updates, newsletters, and town hall meetings, in addition to continued use of local newspapers and mailed notices.

Respondents also stressed the importance of being brought into the conversation earlier, when major Township initiatives are being considered.

The survey comments called for clearer explanations of what is being proposed, why it is being considered, and how residents’ feedback has influenced decisions.

Growth was another concern, with respondents emphasizing the need for infrastructure and services to keep pace with development while maintaining Scugog’s community character.

The survey results will now become one of the pieces of information considered, as staff prepare the Township’s 2027 operating and capital budgets.

The draft 2027 budget and four-year capital forecast are expected to be circulated to council early in 2027.

The survey offers a snapshot of what respondents want to see from their municipal government: attention to the basics, careful spending, better communication, and continued investment in the infrastructure residents rely on every day.

The report was received by council for information.