Town Council holding meetings to review the draft 2023 municipal budget

St. Marys Town Council is holding special meetings over the next few months to review the draft 2023 municipal budget. Residents are welcome to attend in person at Town Hall Council Chambers. The meetings will also posted to the Town of St. Marys YouTube channel.

The draft budget – which is currently available on the Town’s website – proposes a 3.7% increase on the municipal tax levy. The proposed increase will add approximately $150 to a typical residential property.

Meeting Dates & Details

The first budget meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 10 at 9:00 a.m. The meeting will start with an overview of the Town’s operational budget, which includes the day-to-day costs of running the municipality. The second half of the meeting will cover the Town’s capital budget, which includes major projects and one-time expenditures.

The second meeting – scheduled for Tuesday, January 17 at 9:00 a.m. – will commence with a review of external funding requests, followed by a further discussion of major capital projects. The latter half of the meeting will focus on the Town’s reserve and reserve funds and a review of the municipality’s Property Tax Policy.

During the third meeting on Tuesday, February 7, Town staff will bring forward any further information about the budget that was requested by Council at its previous meetings. The meeting will start at 9:00 a.m. and will provide Council and staff a chance to discuss any final changes to the draft budget.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend the fourth budget meeting on Tuesday, February 28 at 6:00 p.m. This meeting is an opportunity for residents to ask questions about the draft budget and share feedback on proposed spending for the year.

The final budget meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 14 at 6:00 p.m. Council will review the final version of the 2023 budget and, assuming no further changes are required, will pass a by-law to finalize the budget.

Note: The dates for the third and fourth budget meetings (scheduled for February 7 and 28) are subject to change. Any changes to the meeting schedule will be posted on the Town website (www.townofstmarys.com/budget), Facebook page (www.facebook.com/stmarysontario) and Twitter account (www.twitter.com/townofstmarys).

Coffee with Council

The Town is planning a Coffee with Council event on Saturday, February 4, 2023. This event will be an informal opportunity for residents to discuss the 2023 budget with members of Council and senior municipal staff. Further details about the event will be shared through the Town’s website, local media sources and social media channels.

Additional Information

A copy of the draft 2023 municipal budget is available online at www.townofstmarys.com/budget and in print (for viewing only) at the Municipal Operations Centre (408 James Street South).                

Questions

André Morin, Director of Corporate Services/Treasurer
519-284-2340, ext. 217 | amorin@town.stmarys.on.ca