​Kincardine council approves 2025 budget

Kincardine council has officially adopted its 2025 budget, with a 7.13-per-cent tax-rate increase.

Final approval came at the council meeting Wednesday night (Feb. 26).

“Our council members have many considerations when they’re at the budget table from zero per cent to double-digit tax increases,” said mayor Kenneth Craig, in a press release, issued Thursday. “The expectations for service delivery, along with growth in the community, require an approach that carefully plans and provides value to the municipality.”

KEY INVESTMENTS FOR 2025:

For 2025, council continued the trend of investing in initiatives that focus upon maintaining quality of life for residents and visitors of the community. A commitment of saving to support the needs of existing assets and infrastructure remains a priority, with three per cent of this year’s tax rate slated for this purpose.

Council also reviewed and approved the funding to proceed with these key capital projects in 2025:
 

• The reconstruction of Brown’s Hill Bridge on Concession 5 - $4.2-million
• Purchase of an aerial apparatus fire truck for Kincardine Fire and Emergency Services Station 12, Kincardine - $2.4-million
• Replacement of the Tiverton Sports Centre’s compressor and chiller - $765,000
• The reconstruction of the Station Beach Boardwalk - $750,000
• Replacement of a multi-use Sterling vactor truck - $800,000
• Replacement of the Davidson Centre’s generator - $600,000
• Purchase of a mini-pumper truck for Kincardine Fire and Emergency Services Station 11, Tiverton - $550,000
• Replacement of the Tiverton Sports Centre’s arena boards - $320,000
• Replacement of a trackless sidewalk plow - $275,000

In addition, council chose to contribute to the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation’s expansion project which supports keeping quality health care close to home. The budgeted $600,000 is part of an overall total municipal contribution of $1.8-million.

Investments in water services were also a 2025 budget focus with these projects funded through water and wastewater rates including:
 

• Water meter replacement program and software upgrades - $1.2-million
• Repairs at the Bruce Energy Centre - $325,000
• Kincardine Water Treatment Plant outbuilding generator - $200,000
• Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for Tiverton well sites - $50,000

WHAT IT MEANS FOR TAXPAYERS:

The final numbers for the 2025 budget are $41.527-million for operating costs, and $26.8-million for capital expenditures, with a total municipal tax levy set at $25.362-million.

This means a municipal property tax rate increase of 4.13 per cent, plus the three-per-cent capital levy, for a total rate increase of 7.13 per cent. This translates to an average household increase of $172 per year, or $3.30 per week.

“Budgets are always challenging for councils,” said Craig. “It is our responsibility to work with staff to ensure the Municipality of Kincardine operates in a way that’s good for current taxpayers while planning for future generations. We took our time with this budget, and we believe this is a balanced approach that supports the needs of this community.”

To learn more about your municipal budget, visit www.kincardine.ca/Budget and see the 2025 Budget Guide.

At Wednesday’s meeting, the budget was approved, 6-2. In a recorded vote, Craig, deputy mayor Andrea Clarke, and councillors Jennifer Prenger, Mike Hinchberger, Rory Cavanagh and Amanda Steinhoff-Gray were in favour, while councillors Bill Stewart and Stellina Williams were against. Councillor Beth Blackwell was absent.

Williams said she voted against the budget because even a four-per-cent increase in operating expenses is too much, given the eight-per-cent hike in water and wastewater fees this year as well. Council had opportunities to provide tax relief and didn’t take them, she said.

Stewart agreed, saying that the tax-rate increases over the past three years totalled 24 per cent which is a hardship for those on fixed incomes in this community.