Madawaska Valley Township Council passed its 2025 Budget at its March 4th Council in Committee meeting. Treasurer Amanda Hudder (shown above at left with Operations Manager Hilary Kutchkoskie during last month’s Draft Budget presentation) said the By-laws for Water & Wastewater rates and Curbside & Transfer Station rates Budget would be passed now so they could be approved in time for Quarter 1 billing. The municipal tax rates by-law, however, would come in April or May following receipt of final rates from the upper tier budget approvals in April. Hudder also pointed out that property assessments remained frozen at 2016 rates and that any changes to be made by MPAC were unknowns at this time and, in any event, were outside the municipality’s control.
Hudder said the municipal budget would require a tax rate increase of 2.5 percent. She pointed out that the Consumer Price Index annual average for 2024 was 2.4 percent. Factors such as inflation, increasing insurance costs, accessibility measures required by law, and aging infrastructure all affect the municipal budget.
MV Council decided that the total cost of policing services; i.e. $916,105 would be split equally amongst all 4,323 property tax rolls. Residents will therefore see $211.91 under code “OPP” on their Final Tax bill.
The budget projected total revenue of $3,839,645 including grants and total expenditure of $9,620,727. Ontario Municipal Partnership Funding of $1,710,900 along with Payments In Lieu funding meant that $3,947,872 in taxation was required. The 2.5 percent municipal tax increase mentioned above translates to an average increase per single-family dwelling (not waterfront) of $74.87 for the year. Hudder pointed out that the Township is required to collect taxes from residents and remit funds for County and Education needs. This means less than half of the taxes you pay actually stay in the municipality.
The Treasurer listed a number of Capital Projects for 2025, including an update to the Road Needs Study, gravel resurfacing of various roads, the Hwy 60/62 intersection, Hopefield Road reconstruction, replacing a culvert on Peter Street, and asphalt padding on Lower Craigmont Road. The purchase of a tandem truck costing $382,081 was delayed from 2023. Ongoing projects were also included such as improvements to community centre facilities in Barry’s Bay and Combermere, Township office furnishings and software, and structural evaluation of the Wooden Water Tower. Chute repair at Crooked Slide Park and a Radio Tower Repeater for Water Tower Hill were also in the budget.
Hudder said that MV is mindful of the requirements for reserve funds. The budget contemplates withdrawal of $1,704,856 and addition of $1,436,016 which brings the municipal reserve balance to $5,515,698.
The Curbside Pickup Area Rate will increase by 2.77 percent, while the Transfer Station Area Rate will go up by 5 percent.
The 2025 Municipal Drinking Water System rate increases by 4 percent over last year with the Rate set at $5.16 per cubic metre OR $77.40 per 15 cubic metre quarterly minimum. The Municipal Wastewater Treatment System rate at $5.52 per cubic metre OR $82.80 per 15 metre quarterly minimum is equivalent to a 3.95 per cent increase from 2024 rates.
Council unanimously approved the 2025 Municipal Budget and later in the meeting they enacted the By-Laws for Water & Wastewater Rates and for Curbside Pickup Area and Transfer Area Rates.