Council unanimously approves 2019 County Budget

Wyoming, ON - Lambton County Council has approved a net increase of 1.75% to the County property tax levy, finalizing the County's 2019 Budget in Wyoming this morning.

In total, the budget calls for spending $216.5 million in 2019, $76.7 million of which will be raised through local property taxes.

"Council pursued the principles of prudence and restraint, being keenly aware of the province's desire to balance its budget," said Warden Bill Weber. "In the end, the County ends up with a property tax increase that is lower than the rate of inflation."

Council committed to contributing $250,000 from its Opportunities and Contingencies Reserve to the Lambton Children's Safety Village project, contingent upon support for the project from local school boards, the delivery to Council of a full report detailing how the Safety Village will operate, and the issuance of the project's related building permit.

50 capital projects totaling an estimated $20.4 million will proceed in 2019, including the replacement of Bear Creek Bridge, the resurfacing of various County roads, and the reconstruction of portions of County Road #2 (Bentpath Line), County Road #80 (Courtright Line), and County Road #9 (Northville Road).

$6.4 million will be directed to various reserves and reserve funds in 2019, 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 2019:

General Government/Council activities - $14.3 million
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer - $700,000
Corporate Services Division - $5.8 million
Cultural Services Division - $10.9 million
Finance, Facilities and Court Services Division - $11.9 million
Infrastructure & Development Services Division - $28.6 million
Long-Term Care Division - $34.1 million
Public Health Services Division - $27.7 million
Social Services Division - $82.1 million

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 2019 Budget will be available through the County's website, LambtonOnline.ca. 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:

Bill Weber
Warden
County of Lambton
519-381-6111
Email Bill Weber

John Innes
GM, Finance, Facilities and Court Services
County of Lambton
519-845-5417