2023 Draft County Budget Presented to County Council

Wyoming, ON - Lambton County Council will be considering a net increase of 3.9% to the County property tax levy when it meets to discuss the County's 2023 budget at the Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 1, 2023.

The 2023 Draft County Budget was presented during a special joint meeting of Committee A.M. and Committee P.M. in Wyoming on Wednesday, February 15. The draft document calls for $89.2 million to be raised through local property taxes and total spending of $265.7 million.

The proposed 3.9% tax increase is comprised of a base budget increase of 2.96% to maintain existing service levels, and a proposed strategic investment in affordable housing generating an increase of 0.94%. An assessment growth increase of 1.2% assisted in containing the proposed tax increase to 3.9%.

“We are all well aware that there is both a current and future need for affordable housing units in Lambton County,” said Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott. “Strategic investments like the one proposed in the 2023 Draft Budget are crucial for Lambton County to consider. Demand for housing is increasing and it is anticipated to continue increasing as we move forward. Investing in housing projects now to increase the supply of affordable housing as we move forward will positively impact the County as a whole.”

The proposed strategic investment into affordable housing in the 2023 Draft Budget will help fund projects that increase the number of housing units available in Lambton County and bring the local number of available units closer to quantities available in comparable communities. Projects undertaken through this investment will also utilize funding partnerships to help offset project costs.

The Draft Budget also calls for the allocation of $15.9 million to various reserves and reserve funds in 2023. The County uses these reserves to finance large, necessary projects that may arise in the future or to pay for unexpected opportunities and emergencies.

Budget deliberations are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., Wednesday, March 1, 2023 and if required, will continue at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 23. Deliberations will be streamed live and made available for archival viewing through the meeting calendar on the County's website at lambtononline.ca/meetings.

The 2023 Draft County Budget is available to view online at lambtononline.ca/budget.

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Please contact:

Kevin Marriott
Warden
County of Lambton
519-381-6111
Email Kevin Marriott

Larry Palarchio
General Manager, Finance, Facilities & Court Services
County of Lambton
519-845-5417
Email Larry Palarchio