North Huron Budget process nears conclusion with capital budget passing
BY SCOTT STEPHENSON
Before February came to a close, North Huron Council held a special meeting in which they approved the proposed 2025 budget in principle, with a tax levy increase of 3.15 per cent. This brings the township one big step closer to finalizing its 2025 budget - all that’s left is a mandatory public meeting and final approval, which will happen later this month.
The draft budget was presented by a team of senior staff, led by Interim Treasurer Annette Fletcher - a surprise mid-season replacement who came from the Huron County level last month. Reeve Paul Heffer began the meeting by praising the experienced number cruncher for the extra effort she and North Huron staff have put in this budget season. “I appreciate all the work that’s been done the last few weeks - you’ve brought something really good towards us,” he said.
Fletcher offered council an overview of how the draft budget was brought to fruition this year, and the manner in which the surprisingly-low tax levy was tabulated. “As a municipality, we are allowed to incur debt to pay for our large capital acquisitions, but we are legislatively required to ensure that we have enough revenue sources to pay for the expenses that we’re putting before you,” she explained. “As we go through and determine what our revenue sources are, and what our expenditures are, we are left with a net balance that we need to fund from our levies. That levy requirement, from a total dollar perspective, is then going to determine what the tax rate is that we apply to residents within the township.” The 3.15 per cent tax levy increase means an additional $236,423 in taxation over 2024. The total tax levy requested for 2025 is $7,745,348.
The rest of the budget was determined by compiling projected operating and capital needs for 2025, while incorporating the cost of implementing previous council decisions, including any pre-budget approvals. Department heads and staff then discovered savings throughout the budget, which were used to offset new financial demands, such as inflation. The 2025 fees and charges bylaw, already approved by council, was used to calculate projected revenues for each department.
The draft budget predicts that the total revenue for 2025 will be $8,246,964, which is $2,222,764 less than 2024. This is due to $2,668,000 in proceeds from one-time land sales in 2024.
Of that total revenue, operating revenue from external sources, like grants, interest and user fees, is predicted to be roughly $6,913,951. An additional $353,900 would be transferred from reserves, and $979,113 will come from external capital funding, such as development charges. There will also be a net decrease in expenses this year, from $17,978,653 in 2024 to $15,992,312 in 2025.
There are a hearty number of capital projects planned for 2025. The list of Priority One capital projects contains 23 items, which come with a total cost of $2,105,413. This includes the $161,113 upgrade to the racquet sports courts at the North Huron Wescast Community Complex (NHWCC), which will be paid for by a grant from the Vance Foundation.
The NHWCC is also in need of two new dehumidifiers, which are budgeted at $120,000, a $10,000 fire alarm panel, $10,000 for a water filtration system, and $14,000 for an ice plant compressor overhaul. The facility also requires $50,000 in roof repairs. All of these costs are projected to be funded through taxation.
The Blyth Community Centre also requires a dehumidifier, and maintenance work is required at the Blyth Campground. These two budget items will cost $60,000 and $40,000, respectively, which will be funded through taxation. The $350,000 needed for initial project costs of the Blyth daycare will be funded through a grant from Huron County. Next, $25,000 worth of design work is needed to increase the accessibility of Wingham’s Town Hall Theatre.
Several pieces of equipment are being requested by the township’s Emergency Services Department. Extrication equipment, essential to rescuing people trapped in vehicles, will cost $60,000 - half of which will be funded through taxation, half through grants. Two new emergency road closure trailers are also on the list of Priority One projects, and will be paid for by Ontario’s Emergency Preparedness Grant. The most expensive line item for Emergency Services is the replacement of Rescue Vehicle 7, a nearly 30-year-old vehicle that will require $300,000 to replace. This would also be paid for through a combination of grants and tax dollars.
A total of $357,300 in tax dollars is earmarked for a tandem plow truck, a roadside tractor, and a pick-up truck with dump box and sander. Reserve funds will be used to resurface various stretches of North Huron roads to the tune of $185,000. This includes parts of Park Drive, Boland Street, Patrick Street, and Farley Lane.
Councillor Mitch Wright asked how the streets to be resurfaced were chosen. “Is there a rating system?” he asked. “I know there’s streets like Frances, right out here which are in very poor shape, so I just want to get an understanding on how the decisions are made.” Interim Director of Public Works Chip Wilson explained that the roads to be resurfaced are chosen after consultation with staff as to the amount of maintenance each road requires, and the amount of traffic they receive.
Parking lot resurfacing at three Wingham locations: the Wingham Town Hall Theatre, the fire hall, and the library is budgeted at $250,000, to be funded through taxation. Councillor Anita van Hittersum asked Wilson if this project involved putting asphalt down, or if it only entailed smoothing and augmenting the lots with gravel. Wilson responded that it was the former. “This would be to have them asphalted to clean them up,” he explained. “I believe there were some concerns and some comments coming back from people using the theatre on the condition of them. I believe the accessibility committee was there, and did a site visit… obviously, when it’s gravel there is no accessible parking available, but once you get it paved, then you can mark these out and designate them for accessible parking.”
Wingham’s current columbarium has reached 50 per cent capacity - the purchase and delivery of a second columbarium would cost a total of $70,000, to be paid for out of reserves. The sale of the new columbarium’s niches would then be used to replenish the cemetery reserve fund.
Priority Two projects include rubberized flooring for the NHWCC ($175,000) and the BCC ($150,000), light replacements for the Wingham Ballfield ($75,000), and a crosswalk for F.E. Madill ($45,000). Director of Recreation and Children’s Services Kelly Steiss noted that, if one rubberized flooring project were to be prioritized, the floor at the NHWCC is in worse shape. She also added that the BCC floor could be replaced in stages, as the layout of the floor would allow for it to be done one section at a time.
Councillor Chris Palmer asked Steiss if the lights at the Blyth Baseball Diamonds were being considered for repairs. “If memory serves me right, there could be a few light stanchions that are maybe leaning - do you know the condition over there? Is there thoughts of fixing or replacing anything there?” he enquired. Steiss responded that she did not know, but would look into the matter.
The list of Priority Three projects includes a sound system upgrade for the NHWCC ($45,000), a skate park replacement for the BCC ($27,000), a soccer field at the Blyth Campground ($75,000), and digital sign replacements at both the BCC ($50,000) and the NHWCC ($50,000). According to Steiss, neither sign can be repaired. “The technology for those signs are now out of date,” she explained. “So a full replacement is required for the signs at both locations… there is new technology too, that would allow staff to make changes remotely from their phones, allowing for even better communication, should there be outages or road closures.”
Councillor Anita van Hittersum wanted to know if the potential skate park would be permanent or mobile. “My understanding is that it’s for a mobile skatepark,” Steiss responded.
The first phase of the multi-million dollar reconstruction of Mill Street was completed last year - completion of the second phase has been slated for 2026, with the third phase to occur 2027.
The approval of the budget in principle means that North Huron will likely move forward with all of the proposed Priority One capital projects, barring any changes made following the public meeting later this month.