Council Approves 2021 County Budget

Wyoming, ON - Lambton County Council has approved a net levy rate increase of 1.75% to the County property tax levy, finalizing the County's 2021 Budget through a virtual Council meeting this morning.

In total, the budget calls for spending $240.2 million in 2021, $82.3 million of which will be raised through local property taxes.

"The 2021 budget as presented by staff maintains the expected level of service from the County while also keeping the increase at a reasonable level, considering the impacts the pandemic has had over the past year," said Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott. "I'm pleased that County Council fully reviewed and supported the budget today, and I would like to thank County staff for their hard work in putting this budget together".

$14.4 million will be directed to various reserves and reserve funds in 2021, which are used to finance large, necessary projects that may arise in the future or to pay for unexpected opportunities and emergencies.

Spending will be allocated as follows in 2021:

• General Government/Council activities - $17.8 million
• Office of the Chief Administrative Officer - $732,000
• Corporate Services Division - $5.7 million
• Cultural Services Division - $11.9 million
• Finance, Facilities and Court Services Division - $18.4 million
• Infrastructure & Development Services Division - $30.7 million
• Long-Term Care Division - $38.6 million
• Public Health Services Division - $31.5 million
• Social Services Division - $84.5 million

Council also agreed to fund 50% of the project cost for the Bluewater Health helipad project, an estimated $400,000, from the County's Opportunities and Contingencies Fund.

The County of Lambton operates a wide variety of programs and services available to the public such as land ambulance, provincial offences court, three Long-Term Care Homes, 25 library branches and related digital resources, two museums, an art gallery, archives, local roadways, public health services, housing services, social services, building services and planning and development services. The Corporation employs approximately 1,200 employees across over 40 sites.

A final version of the County's 2021 Budget will be available online at lambtononline.ca/budget. Hard copies can be requested by contacting the Finance, Facilities and Court Services Division at 519-845-0809 ext. 5321.

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Please contact:

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

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