Scugog chooses 2.5 percent as target tax rate increase for 2024

DAN CEARNS The Standard

SCUGOG: The Township of Scugog is setting a target tax increase of “not more than 2.5 percent” for the 2024 municipal budget.

The decision was made at a meeting, on Monday, February 12th.

“Staff will continue to identify service efficiencies and savings and build these savings into the operating budget. Understanding the budgetary pressures expected in 2024, as well as staff capacity issues, it will be a challenge for staff to maintain service levels. As such, any service level increases or new programs should be minimized and considered additions to any target set by Council,” a report from Treasurer Laura Barta stated.

Ms. Barta explained the rationale behind the chosen tax target at the meeting.

“With the current economic climate, staff have taken a very minimalistic view, by not adding new programs and services which would increase the ask to our residents. We know the residents have limited capacity to take on more, and we reviewed all of the expenditures, to ensure they are still relevant and necessary to our operation. We also looked for ways to increase revenues, where possible, to offset any of these costs.”

Ms. Barta noted, the Township is seeing “significant cost increases,” such as the “cost of steel to replace the culverts and street signs.”

The proposed increase equals an extra $11.33 per month for the average property owner.