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2025 Municipal Budget

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Capital Plan Mapping Municipal Grants and Donations

2025 Municipal Grant Applications – Now Closed

Applications closed September 30, 2024.

Presentation of submissions via staff report will occur on November 6, 2024 for consideration by the Finance Committee.

2025 Budget Survey Results – Available Now!

The Council of the Corporation of the Town of Aylmer invited local residents to complete the 2025 Municipal Budget Consultation Survey over the course of five weeks this summer. Thank you to the residents of Aylmer for your 2025 Budget Public Survey submissions. Council formally received the results of the survey at the regular meeting of Council on September 4, 2024. The staff report and full results are available here:

Staff Report – 2025 Budget Survey Results
Full Results – 2025 Budget Survey

Section 290(1) of the Municipal Act requires local municipalities in each year to prepare and adopt a budget. The Municipality currently prepares two budgets:

  1. Capital Budget,
  2. Operating Budget

The purpose of preparing budgets is to allow Council to develop policy in financial terms and to assist in setting priorities and establishing service levels for the upcoming year before expenditures take place.
  • June 19, 2024, 7:00 p.m.  – First Meeting Finance Committee – Presentation of Draft Budget Survey 2025
  • July 10, 2024, 7:00 p.m. – Approval of Budget Survey 2025
  • Mid-July to Mid-August 2024 – Issuance of 2025 Budget Survey
  • August 14, 2024, 5:30 p.m. – Preliminary Capital Budget
  • September 4, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – Budget Survey Results & Preliminary Budget Education Session
  • September 23, 2024, 6:30 p.m. -Mayor’s Town Hall (To receive input upon 2025 Budget)
  • September 30, 2024 – Due Date for 2025 Municipal Grants
  • October 2, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – Preliminary 2025 Operational Budget
  • November 6, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 2025 Municipal Grants Consideration Report, Final 2025 Capital/Discretionary Budget
  • December 4, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 2025 Operational Budget Meeting
  • January 22, 2025, 6:00 p.m. – Final 2025 Budget Meeting (if required)

2025 Budget Process

October Update

Applications for the Town of Aylmer Municipal Grants Program 2025 are now closed. Presentation of submissions via staff report will occur on November 6, 2024 for consideration by the Finance Committee.

The 2025 Preliminary Operating Budget was presented to the Finance Committee on Wednesday October 2, 2024.

August Update 2

The Town of Aylmer Municipal Grants Program is now accepting applications for 2025. For more information and to access the online application, please visit the Municipal Grants and Donations post. Paper applications can be picked up at Town Hall, 46 Talbot Street West, Aylmer during regular business hours 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.

The 2025 Budget Survey is now closed. Thank you for your participation.

August Update 1

The Preliminary Capital Budget was presented to the Finance Committee at the August 14th meeting. The four proposed priorities for 2025 to 2027 include: SCADA Project, Lagoon Optimization Project, Elk Street Phases I & II, Parks & Recreation Upgrades, and Muniucipal Facilities & Police Station Upgrades. Continuation of the following projects will occur: Water Tower and Infrastructure Project, AIM Industrial Park Project, and EECC Capital Projects.

The CAO presented a review of Training, Professional Development, and Membership within the Corporation of the Town of Aylmer.

The CAO also presented a report that provided an analysis of an indoor pool.

July Update

The final version of the budget survey has been approved by the Finance Committee. The budget survey is now open for collecting responses until August 26, 2024. Click here to complete the survey. Paper copies of the survey are also available at the Aylmer Library, Mennonite Community Services, Town of Aylmer Town Hall, and the East Elgin Community Complex.

June Update

The timing of the budget process has been adopted by the Finance Committee.

The first draft of the budget survey has been reviewed. An updated version that incorporates recommendations from members will be presented at the July 10th, 2024 meeting.

Capital Plan Mapping

The 10-year capital plan for infrastructure projects is available as a map (see below). The Town operates and maintains approximately $350 million worth of assets which require continual rehabilitation and replacement. This clear long-term plan will ensure the efficient use of available budgets and maximize asset lifecycles. All streets will be constructed using a “complete streets” approach to create attractive and livable streets. The goal of complete streets is to provide a safe, healthy, and vibrant community by including active transportation options and greenspace into designs.

Complete Streets Example

The plan was developed using in-house expertise, condition assessment data, and various studies. Projects are prioritised based on a number of factors including risk, most effective timing of rehabilitation to maximize lifecycle, areas with combined sewers, pipe upsizing for upstream development, age and condition of infrastructure, etc. Selecting the projects is complicated by the fact that there are multiple assets (i.e. sewers, watermain, road, sidewalk, etc.) within the same road allowance that all have varying life expectancies and rehabilitation or replacement needs.

Aylmer Capital Project Map

Aylmer Sidewalk Plan Map

2024 Budget Process

January Update

Awaiting the County of Elgin’s 2024 Budget Approval

For County of Elgin updates, please visit: https://engageelgin.ca/investinginelgin 

December Update

On December 6, 2023, the Town of Aylmer Council was presented the Final Operating Budget for 2024. The 2024 Final Operating Budget was passed at this meeting.

Updates to the Fees and Charges By-Law and Waste and Wastewater Rates By-law were also presented and passed.

November Update

The process to develop the Town of Aylmer’s 2024 budget is underway. On November 1, 2023, Council’s Finance Committee was presented the Final Capital & Discretionary Budget for 2024 including the 10-Year Capital Budget and 2024-2028 Capital Funding Summary.

Updates to the Operating Budget as well as reports proposing updates to the Fees and Charges By-Law and Water and Wastewater Rates were presented to the Finance Committee on November 15, 2023. By-laws will be prepared to present at the next meeting of the Finance Committee.

Finance Committee agendas and minutes are available on the Town of Aylmer’s Civicweb website.

2023 Budget Process

March 15, 2023 – 2023 Budget and Levy Rate

In addition to the public meeting, the Town of Aylmer Council will be presented with bylaws to consider for adoption which approve the 2023 Budget and Levy Rate

Date and Time: Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 7:00 pm

Location: Town of Aylmer Council Chambers, 25 Centre St Aylmer

Members of the public are invited to attend and participate in the public meeting. To provide comments, use the form below. Written comments can be physically dropped off at Town Hall 46 Talbot Street West, N5H 1J7.

For more information, see budget page below.

February 1, 2023 – Operational Budget Meeting Update

At their Regular Meeting of Council on February 1, 2023, the Council of the Town of Aylmer passed the below resolution regarding the operational budget:

That Report FIN 01-23 respecting, the Preliminary Operating Budget, be received as information; and

That Council direct staff to present the Final 2023 Operational Budget with Council directed amendments for review and adoption, with the following amendments:

    1. Reduce a contribution to 8k for the next election for 2023 and add it to the operating budget for 2024

    1. Reduce 10k & 25k from transfers to reserves for modernization projects for 2023.

    1. Reduce a total of 50k transfer to capital funds for asset management for 2023.

    1. Utilise $100,000 from the council initiatives reserves to offset the tax levy increase.

    1. That Staff be directed to prepare a report on an increase in user fees.

    1. That Staff be directed to prepare a report on altering the leaf location program.

    1. That Staff be directed to prepare a report on altering the bulk waste collection program.

A press release regarding the estimate levy impact is forthcoming. Budget deliberations can be reviewed at: February 1, 2023 Meeting Video

January 25, 2023 – Operational Budget Meeting (Postponed to February 1, 2023)

Meeting Topics: 2023 Levy Budget
By-Law Adoptions: 2023 Budget Adoption and Levy Rate
Date and Time: Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 7:00 pm
Council will hear public representations in respect to the Levy Budget for 2023 and Adoption of the 2023 Budget and Levy Rate. Members of the public are invited to attend and participate in the public meeting. To provide comments, use the budget input form at the button of this page, email, or call 519-773-3164 ext 4913. Written comments can be physically dropped off at Town Hall 46 Talbot Street West, N5H 1J7.

December 7, 2022 – Update on Operations Budget

Staff have published a memo with the December 7, 2022 agenda detailing the anticipated 2023 operating budget considerations. In summary, with the latest changes, the 2023 proposed tax levy amount is approximately a 8.96% increase. In January, staff will present multiple tough options to get this number down further. Management is holding nothing as sacred and is looking at reducing grants, service levels and reserve contributions. None of these represent desirable outcomes, however they may be required due to the unprecedented external factors impacting all municipalities. You can view the full memo using this hyperlinked text.

December 7, 2022 – Capital Budget

At their Regular Meeting of Council on December 7, 2022, the Council of the Town of Aylmer passed the below resolution:

That Report FIN 21-22 respecting the ten-year Capital Budget, be received as information; and 
That Council approve the proposed 2023 Capital & Discretionary project budget with the amendment that the Old Town Hall Curtain Replace Line Item, in the amount of $25,000, be deferred to a future budget year; and 
That Council approve in principle the ten-year Capital Budget and described as presented.

The associated staff report is available below:

Survey Results

The Council of the Corporation of the Town of Aylmer is invited local residents to complete the 2023 Municipal Budget Consultation Survey. Thank you to the residents of Aylmer for your 2023 Budget Public Survey submission. Results and analysis are available here:

2023 Budget Survey Results Analysis
2023 Budget Survey Full Results

2022 Budget Process

2022 Final Budget Approval Press Release

Aylmer, ON – January 20, 2022

Aylmer Town Council has reduced the proposed net levy by a further 0.52% prior to final adoption.

“We know inflation and the pandemic are impacting our residents,” said Mayor Mary French. “Council wanted to do everything we could to help.”

The final net levy increase for 2022 was established at 2.7%. This amounts to an increase of upon the average household of $49.27 annually or $4.11 per month.

“This was a really challenging budget year as we saw the outcome of two multiyear tax assessment appeals in 2021 that resulted in negative assessment growth for the community,” said CAO Andy Grozelle.

Council achieved the 2.7% through a reduction in transfers to reserves and through applying a portion of their Council Initiatives Reserve.

“These were additionally one-time measures that Council believed were necessary given the unprecedented times our residents are facing,” said Mayor French.

Despite the transfers the Town continues to maintain a strong financial position with healthy reserves, low debt and significant increases in permits and new construction.

January 19, 2022 Budget Decision

At their Regular (Virtual) Meeting of Council on January 19, 2022, the Council of the Town of Aylmer passed the below resolution:

Resolution No.23-22*

That Council remove the transfer to Parks Reserves of $20,000 from the proposed 2022 Budget; And

That Council offset the 2022 budget through a transfer of $11,000 from the Council Initiatives Reserve; And

That Council approve the 2022 Operation Budget with a net levy impact of 2.7% in the amount of $6,149,820; And

That Report CAO 05-22 respecting the 2022 Levy Budget be received as information.

*Resolution No.23-22 will require confirmation by approval of the minutes and adoption of a levy by-law on February 3, 2022.

Final Operational Budget 2022

By-Law 13-22 Final Tax Levy

2021 Budget Information

Additional Information

The 2020 to 2014 Budgets, Municipal Finance Statements, and the Town’s asset management plan are available on the Finance Department page.

Each year Council must consider impacts on the base budget. These budget drivers may include, but are not limited to:

  • Annualization of previous years initiatives;
  • General inflation;
  • Foreign exchange fluctuations;
  • Utility cost increases;
  • Impact of fluctuating fuel costs and costs of petroleum based products;
  • increased transfers to Reserves and Reserve Funds to fund capital programs based on 10 year capital budget from 2021;
  • Provincial funding level changes, including the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund(OMPF) Grant

What exactly is a budget?

A planned itemized summary of money coming into the Municipality and how that money will be spent over a specified period of time. Watch this short video to learn more.

Did you know?

Provincial Government (Ontario) legislates that money coming into a municipality must equal money going out.  This is also known as a balanced budget.

What is the difference between Capital & Operating Budgets?

Operating Budget:

  • Pays for all the day to day activities of the Corporation;
  • Examples:
    • Regular maintenance activities prescribed by the manufacturer that would normally be required to ensure that the asset is able to provide service at a level and quality as originally intended (i.e. lubrication of motor and compressors, replacement of filters) or as required by the product warranty.
    • Routine maintenance and expenditures, such as repainting, cleaning and replacing minor parts.
    • Utilities, insurance and administrative expenses

Capital budget:

  • Pays for all new big investments or rehabilitation of assets currently under the Municipality’s control
  • Generally meets the following criteria:
    • the replacement or overhaul of an asset or major component that will extend the useful life of the asset;
    • the expenditure results in an increase in the service quality of the asset
    • the expenditure results in an increase in the capacity of the asset; and
    • the efficiency of the asset is increased or associated operating costs are lowered – such as replacing existing lighting with energy saving lighting or replacing a furnace with a high efficiency furnace thereby decreasing future operating costs

What are Reserves & Reserve Funds?

  • A Reserve Fund is an amount set aside for a specific purpose by authority of a by-law (or as required by legislation) that is carried from year to year unless utilized or formally closed.
  • Reserves are also amounts carried from year to year, but reserves are set up by resolution of Council and are utilized mainly as a plan against budget contingencies, large item procurement or unforeseen events.

October 2, 2024

September 4, 2024

August 14, 2024

July 10, 2024

June 19, 2024

December 6, 2023

November 15, 2023

November 1, 2023

September 20, 2023

August 9, 2023

July 12, 2023

June 21, 2023

March 15, 2023

January 19, 2022

December 15, 2021

December 1, 2021

November 17, 2021

September 20, 2021

July, 2021

 

2025 Budget Public Participation

The Council of the Corporation of the Town of Aylmer invited local residents to complete the 2025 Municipal Budget Consultation Survey over the course of five weeks this summer. Thank you to the residents of Aylmer for your 2025 Budget Public Survey submissions. Council formally received the results of the survey at the regular meeting of Council on September 4, 2024. The staff report and full results are available here:

Staff Report – 2025 Budget Survey Results
Full Results – 2025 Budget Survey

Previous Budgets Public Participation Information

Local residents were invited to complete the 2022 Municipal Budget Consultation Survey, results are available here.

A submission form is available below to add additional feedback to Council.

Member of the public will have the opportunity to participate in both public hearings and direct deputation to Council regarding the 2021 budget. Notice of these public meetings is posted in the notice section on the aylmer.ca homepage, current notices are placed at the top of aylmer.ca/Budget2022, and previous notices are indexed below. More information will be added here in the month before the meetings. Contact the Director of Legislative Services/Clerk with any immediate questions about participating.
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