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Vol. 12, Issue 46
2022 budget
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
519-326-9010
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Leamington passes three per cent increase
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LEAMINGTON — After two days of presentations and deliberations, Leamington Council has passed a budget allowing for a three per cent tax increase in the municipality for 2022. Special budget meetings took place over the course of Wednesday, December 8 and Thursday, December 9 as administration brought forward the proposed budget for next year. Numerous drainage and other capital projects scheduled to be undertaken could not wait any longer and administration felt that putting them off another year would be detrimental to the municipality’s future. Some of the projects on tap for 2022 include a renewed focus on accessibility projects including the Fire Hall and Courthouse entrance, and paving of the municipal trails near the Soccer Complex. The construction of the Southwest Leamington Storm Water Management Pond is also in the budget, as well as planned improvements at Mersea Park and improvements at the Pollution Control Centre. The average overall household property tax bill will increase in 2022 by an estimated $36.61 per $100,000 of residential assessment. This follows a zero per cent tax increase in 2021. The 2022 budget includes an investment of $27.8 million in capital projects and $51.8 million through the operating budget to deliver essential municipal programs and services to Leamington’s growing community. Administration did remove a scheduled council salary increase of two per cent for 2022, and will use the money saved there (approximately $5,000) to perform a salary review for future budgets. The last salary review for council occurred in 2018. After the dust settled, administration recommended for council to adopt the proposed budget with the three per cent increase. Councillor Paul Tiessen was grateful to administration for offering a good, solid budget. “I don’t see where we could cut and not lose services,” he said. “I went over it with a fine-tooth comb.” Chief Administrative Officer Peter Neufeld explained that this administration is usually very tight in their budgeting. “We’ve brought a budget that we believe is in the best interest of the municipality,” he said. “There’s no built-in fluff.” Deputy Mayor Larry Verbeke agreed. “I think three per cent is a lot, but having looked closely at everything, I can live with this,” he said. “Good job on administration’s part.” Councillor Tim Wilkinson said he was expecting this. SEE BUDGET — Page 2
VOLUNTEERS UNITE TO FILL BASKETS
LEAMINGTON — Volunteers from the Leamington Mersea Goodfellows have once again partnered with Grade 12 students from Leamington District Secondary School for their annual can drive and Christmas hamper program. On Tuesday, December 14, dozens of the volunteers gathered to fill the 2021 hampers for delivery to local families on Saturday, December 18. In the back row are Goodfellows volunteers, from left, Rudy Dyck, Bill Slater, John Penner and Roger Jaarsma. In front are student volunteers Kylee Dekold, Rendel Arner, Sita Voeun and Jacey Foster. A complete story is on page 4. SUN photo We apologise in advance for our
Merry Christmas
H UGE PORTIONS
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SHANNON MATHESON REALTOR®
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