On Monday, December 14th Meaford Council will be holding the Statutory Public Meeting on the 2021 Municipal budget, expecting to give it their final approval in early January.

The current draft 2021 budget includes a tax levy increase of 3.43%, which would mean an increase for the average Meaford homeowner of about $6.17/month, or $74 annually. It includes a capital budget of over $7,000,000, with major projects such as rehabilitation of 8th Concession South, Gillies Bridge and Sykes Street North, as well as over 50km of granular road resurfacing, and asphalt resurfacing on Gray Avenue and Trowbridge Street East.

In order to reduce the levy increase from the originally proposed 8.7% for the 2021 budget, Council has postponed resurfacing the Arena parking lot, and reduced fleet funding and contributions to the fire apparatus reserve. They have also proposed an increase in the cost of bag tags to $4/bag to offset the increased costs of the waste contract, and will be piloting a paid parking program for non-residents at some Municipal park locations.

The December 14th Statutory Public meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Meaford Hall. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Capacity limits, physical distancing, and wearing masks will be in effect. The meeting will also be livestream to the Municipality’s Youtube channel at www.meaford.ca/youtube.

For more information on the 2021 budget, visit www.meaford.ca/budget2021.

source: media release, Municipality of Meaford