Perth County Approves 2021 Budget in Principle

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STRATFORD, ON – At the regular meeting of Council on January 28, 2021, Perth County Council adopted the 2021 Capital and Operating budgets in principle following budget presentations from staff. The 2021 budget was adopted in principle with a 3.49% increase to the levy in the total amount of $17,109,458 - an additional $576,645 from 2020. The 2021 taxable assessment in Perth County from 2020 will cover 0.83% of the levy with the remaining 2.66% being the levy increase directly related without the County’s 2020 Assessment Growth.

Warden Jim Aitcheson said “I am happy that through a diligent review by County Council, we have worked together to approve a budget for the coming year that balances affordability and continuing to deliver important projects and services in Perth County.”

The 2021 Budget was developed according to the Annual Business Plans presented by each division that focused on supporting the County’s 5 key strategic planning goals that include:

1. Growth and Economic Development.
2. Regionalization and Service Effectiveness.
3. Customer Service Excellence.
4. Community Development and Planning.
5. Corporate Sustainability

Manager of Finance and Treasurer, Corey Bridges guided Council through the budget process. “We always make a concerted effort to balance the needs of the County today while also being mindful to put actions in place to further fiscal sustainability for the region for the future.” Bridges said. “The 2021 budget has to be a responsible and progressive balance between supporting communities and regional partners and the need to continue delivering essential municipal services during the pandemic.”

Interim CAO, Lori Wolfe said, “We are pleased at Council’s support of the 2021 budget. Staff are looking forward to delivering on their ambitious work plans while still adapting to regularly shifting pandemic circumstances.”

Perth County Council still needs to Review Tax Policy for 2021, which determines how each individual property tax class will divide the total levy of $17,109,458 for the 2021 property tax year.

Perth County is an upper-tier municipality in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, made up of 4 lower-tier member municipalities and 38,066 residents.

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For more information, contact:
Corey Bridges, Manager of Finance / Treasurer
Department of Corporate Services, Perth County
cbridges@perthcounty.on.ca or 519-271-0531 ext 220

Attachments

2021-01-29 - Press Release - 2021 Budget Approval - FINAL