February 9, 2021
NORTH GRENVILLE, ON – After consultation with residents, business leaders, and a call for community budget requests, North Grenville Council approved the 2021 Budget. The Operational Budget was discussed and approved at the regularly scheduled Council meeting on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, and the Capital investment budget was debated and approved at a special Council Meeting on February 8.
“Council recognizes that this past year has been challenging for so many businesses and residents,” said Mayor Nancy Peckford. “There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant economic impact on our community, and that is why we have adopted a 2021 budget with a zero tax rate increase.”
The 2021 Budget includes significant investments that support smart and sustainable growth, road safety, improved sidewalks and trail connectivity, as well as additional recreational amenities - all of which advance quality of life in North Grenville, while ensuring ongoing community responsiveness and engagement.
A significant portion of the proposed roads expenditure will oversee the rehabilitation of Wellington Road (i.e. paving, underground water and sewer and road realignment) and the Municipality’s cost-share of the CR43 expansion project which has a total value of approximately $37.5 Million – beginning in 2021 with bridge construction.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the Municipality remains committed to helping our local businesses,” added Deputy Mayor Jim McManaman. “Under this budget, Council has renewed its commitment to the small business support program, countering the negative impacts of COVID-19, and working towards a more resilient future.”
In 2020, the Municipality underwent significant changes through the establishment of a renewed senior administrative team at the Municipality which have led to important changes in the Municipality’s organizational structure.
With this new leadership, the Municipality was successful in acquiring almost $1 Million in provincial funding to help offset lost revenue as a result of COVID-19. This grant, and other prudent fiscal planning, will ease operating pressures for the Municipality.
“As reflected in this year’s budget, the Municipality will continue to modernize its operations and increase its administrative and fiscal transparency as well as accountability,” emphasized North Grenville’s Chief Administrative Officer Gary Dyke.
Budget 2021 can be found on our website at: www.northgrenville.ca/budget.
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Budget 2021 Highlights:
- A crucial expansion to the Water and wastewater treatment plant that will be financed exclusively from development charges and user fees from residents and businesses on town services.
- Continued financial support and contract services to the North Grenville Police Services ($2.4M), Public Library ($478,000), Downtown Kemptville BIA ($26,800).
- Rehabilitation of several rural and urban roads (approx. $3 Million), including Wellington Road (paving plus underground realignment), Bolton Rd, Crozier, Tompkins, Sanderson, Pelton, Scotch Line Rd W, Latourell Rd, Van Buren (CR43 to French Settlement), Irishtown, Stone Rd, Townline.
- Accelerated sidewalk rehabilitation, new crosswalk (PXO), and improvements to the Rail Trail.
- Bridge construction (including sidewalks on both sides) as part of preparations and preliminary work to support the first phase of County Road 43 expansion project.
- Reinvestment in Riverside Park: A one-time investment over 2 years to establish a dual-purpose outdoor ice pad/splash pad, as well as a fully rebuilt year-round access change rooms and washrooms that meet accessibility standards. In addition, external funding is being pursued for a new walking track.
- Continued service improvement and customer service standards. This includes permanently relocating customer service desk to the main floor of the Municipal Centre.
- Fulfillment of several Community-based grant requests (totaling $125,000), including an investment in seniors’ transportation, expanded counselling services for the Beth Donavan hospice, support for winter ski trails in Ferguson Forest, overseeing a short ice-skating season on the Kemptville Creek as well as supporting a variety of community events.
- Investments in Maplewood Hall (Oxford Mills) and Bishops’ Mills Community Hall.
- Preliminary investment in implementing North Grenville’s newly established Tourism Strategy.
For More Information Contact:
Jill Sturdy, Corporate Media Relations Officer
613-258-9569 ext. 168
Brad Brookman, Director of Finance/Treasurer
613-258-9569 ext. 101
