Council Approves 2022 County Budget

Wyoming, ON - Lambton County Council has approved a net levy rate increase of 2.5% to the County property tax levy, finalizing the County's 2022 Budget through a virtual Council meeting this morning.

In total, the budget calls for spending $246.9 million in 2022, $85 million of which will be raised through local property taxes.

"The 2022 County Budget, as approved, ensures prudent financial planning for our community as we look to future needs and gradually transition away from impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott. "I'm pleased that County Council supported the budget today, and I would like to thank County staff for their hard work in developing this budget".

$18.5 million will be directed to various reserves and reserve funds in 2022, which are used to finance large, necessary projects that may arise in the future or to pay for unexpected opportunities and emergencies.

Spending across the various Divisions of the County will be allocated as follows in 2022:

• Office of the Chief Administrative Officer - $752,000
• Corporate Services Division - $8.1 million
• Cultural Services Division - $12.5 million
• Finance, Facilities and Court Services Division - $15.9 million
• Infrastructure & Development Services Division - $35.2 million
• Long-Term Care Division - $44.3 million
• Public Health Services Division - $33.5 million
• Social Services Division - $82.2 million

County Council made several valuable strategic investments during 2022 budget deliberations, which included:

• $1.2 million for new affordable housing
• $2.3 million for Long-Term Care capital
• $0.5 million for future planning related to Lambton Shared Services Centre
• $1.0 million for technology modernization 

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 2022 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 Kevin Marriott

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