EDWARDSBURGH CARDINAL – Edwardsburgh Cardinal Council passed the 2024 Township budget at its February 26th regular meeting of Council. The 2024 budget includes several key highlights for the EC community.

The township tax rate will see a 3% increase, while the UCLG tax rate will see a 6.14% increase, resulting in a blended rate of 3.63%. Mayor Tory Deschamps expressed his satisfaction with the budget, saying, "It's a testament to the strong work put in by our dedicated staff and the commitment shown by Council to close our infrastructure gap while ensuring that good projects move forward with minimal impact on our valued ratepayers."

The operating budget includes a projected unaudited surplus of $40,987.05 for 2023, with final numbers to be available in April or May. The cost-of-living adjustment for 2024 has been finalized at 4.93%. Additionally, the township's salary costs have increased by 5.49%, with the potential addition of planning staff.

The Capital budget for 2024 includes a total spend of $4,455,560, which is fully funded from taxation, reserves, and grant funding. The spend is broken down into levy-based capital and rate-based capital, which includes projects such as technological upgrades in the Township Council Chambers and office space, engineering and design work for a potential fire hall #2 replacement, and new ball diamond lights in Johnstown. Fourteen Rural roads across New Wexford, Johnstown and Spencerville will all see road rehabilitation activity as well as Reid Street in Cardinal.

The Mayor also recognizes the financial contribution made by the Township-owned Port of Johnstown.

“Over the last 2 budget years the Port of Johnstown has contributed in excess of $1.2 million dollars towards Capital projects in Edwardsburgh Cardinal. Without the financial contribution from the Port of Johnstown this would have been a very different budget. This balanced approach continues to ensure we are on a path toward sustainable growth and prosperity in our township.

“Overall, I am proud of the fiscal responsibility shown by our Council as we make Edwardsburgh Cardinal a fantastic place to Live, Work and Play.”

Residents and stakeholders can find more information about the budget and its highlights on the township's website.

Budget highlights

The following highlights of the 2024 budget are noted.

Operating budget

• Interest revenue continues to increase but rates can change up or down at any time.
• Council is planning for insurance to increase 10% over 2023 based on preliminary conversations with our Insurance Broker.
• Unaudited surplus for 2023 is projected to be $40,987.05. Audit is underway and final numbers should be available in April or May.
• Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2024 was finalized at 4.93% by OMERS on November 22, 2023.
• Township salary costs increased by 5.49% with the potential addition of planning staff.
• Long term debt servicing cost is lowered by $62,533.36 over 2023 with the Recreation department 1/2 tonne truck and case grader loans completed.

Capital budget

• Total spend for levy-based capital is $4,242,269 and includes:
  1. Administration - $200,000 – completion of technological upgrades in the Township Council Chambers and office space
  2. Fire Department - $100,000 – to do engineering and design work for a potential fire hall #2 replacement
  3. Recreation - $238,460 – Largest project the ball diamond lights in Johnstown
  4. Public Works Equipment - $580,414 – New ½ ton truck, sidewalk plow and tandem plow truck
  5. Bridges/Culverts - $1,182,068 – Weir Road bridge rehabilitation project and Jordan Road triple culvert
  6. Roads - $1,941,327 – 14 rural roads, New Wexford, Johnstown and Spencerville will all see road rehabilitation activity as well as Reid Street in Cardinal
• Total spend for rate-based capital is $213,291 with the main project being the Reid Street water service replacements that align with the Reid Street work in Cardinal.
• Total capital spent will be $4,455,560 and is fully funded from taxation, reserves and grant funding.

Media contact

Inquiries can be made by emailing Mayor Tory Deschamps or the Township's Treasurer Sean Nicholson.