Council approves 2021 County Budget

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Cobourg, ON – December 16, 2020 – County Council voted today to ap­prove the Northumberland County 2021 Budget. This approval marks the con­clusion of a six-month cycle of rigorous planning, development and consolida­tion, beginning with Council’s establishment of a target levy increase in June, and wrapping up with two days of Special Meetings of Council last week dedi­cated to intensive review of the final draft.

The $188.3 million 2021 Budget includes a base levy increase of 0.94 per cent along with an increase for a Dedicated Infrastructure Investment of 0.64 per cent for a total levy increase of 1.58 per cent after growth. The overall esti­mated impact of this increase for a median single family detached home in the county is approximately $17.97 in annual property taxation. This estimate is subject to change based on tax policy and information from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporate (MPAC), both of which will be finalized this spring.

"As we continue to deal with the evolving impacts of COVID-19, this budget prioritizes community supports and economic development initiatives de­signed to deliver a measurable impact," states Warden Bob Crate. "Mindful of the need to balance effective municipal operations with the pressures facing local ratepayers particularly as a result of the global pandemic, Council care­fully scrutinized the details of this budget through an intensive two-day pro­cess. We are satisfied that the end result responds to the feedback gathered from residents through the 2021 Financial Framework Survey, delivering prior­ity projects and quality programs and services that align with our four-year Strategic Plan, while rooted in judicious fiscal management. Thanks to a budget process that emphasizes long-term planning, the needs of County residents continue to be met within a framework of long-term fiscal sustaina­bility."

Highlights of projects and services supported by this budget include:

Economic recovery actions

  • Broadband strategy—Striking partnerships and implementing strategic initiatives to increase broadband connectivity in the community.
  • Supports for businesses—Training, coaching, digital supports and grant opportunities through the Business and Entrepreneurship Centre.
  • Tourism Strategy—Intermunicipal collaboration to develop a Destination Development strategy for Northumberland.

Community supports

  • Affordable housing initiatives
  • Construction on the Elgin Park affordable housing project in Cobourg.
  • Maintaining and expanding rent supplement units.
  • Advancement of Community Safety & Well-being Plan—Co-design, with community partners, of the framework and priorities for the Communi­ty Safety & Well-being Plan.

Major infrastructure projects

  • Golden Plough Lodge & Northumberland County Archives and Muse­um—Progress on construction.
  • Campbellford Bridge—Additional consultation and design work.
  • Brighton rail crossing—Implementation of safety installments at the at-grade rail crossing on Prince Edward Street in Brighton.

The County levy will fund approximately 32 per cent of the 2021 Budget. Sourcing of debt will amount to 32 per cent towards financing major extraordi­nary capital projects, being the Golden Plough Lodge & Northumberland County Archives and Museum as well as the Elgin Park Redevelopment Pro­ject. 36 per cent of funds required will be generated through a combination of grants and subsidies from other levels of government, as well as revenue-generating activities such as property leasing, the sale of recycled materials from the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), and service user fees.

Specific to user fees, the approved budget includes the implementation of an incremental fee increase for garbage bag tags. Council approved the 50 cent increase to $4.25 per bag tag effective March 1, 2021. Residents are encour­aged to take advantage of the full suite of recycling and green bin services now implemented—which allow for unlimited set-out of eligible items each week at no charge—to off-set household waste disposal costs.

Final budget documents, including a summary presentation as well as individ­ual departmental breakdowns, are available on our Budgets page.