Council Approves 2023 County Budget

Wyoming, ON - Lambton County Council has approved a net levy rate increase of 4.02% to the County property tax levy, finalizing the County's 2023 Budget at the Council meeting this morning.

In total, the budget calls for spending $265.8 million in 2023, $89.3 million of which will be raised through local property taxes.

"I’m pleased with how Council discussed and worked through this year’s budget,” said Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott. "We were able to make some challenging decisions that will have a very positive impact on the County, including making the choice to invest in more local, affordable housing projects and complete a study to make an informed decision on how to proceed with changing the intersection of Kimball Road and Petrolia Line. I would like to thank County staff for their hard work in developing this sensible, effective budget."

Council agreed to contribute $2 million in 2023 towards local affordable housing options, representing a $800,000 increase over the $1.2 million contributed in 2022. This contribution, which will be supported by funding partnerships to offset the total project costs, will help increase the number of affordable housing units available in Lambton County and reduce the number of families and individuals experiencing homelessness within the community.

Council also added $100,000 to the 2023 budget to complete a preliminary design study on the intersection of County Road 4 (Petrolia Line) and County Road 31 (Kimball Road) that will outline the options of installing traffic signals or a roundabout at the intersection. The study will take place in 2023 with the results being brought back to Council for its review and consideration in the same year.

As well, $15.9 million will be directed to various reserves and reserve funds in 2023, which are used to finance large, necessary projects that may arise in the future or to pay for unexpected opportunities and emergencies.

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 locations 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 2023 Budget will be available online at lambtononline.ca/budget in the coming weeks.

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Please contact:

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

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