Re-Elect Liz Petrie 2026 to 2030

It is important that I tackle the budget on a line by line basis. That each department head shares their list of items they determine are required to run a smooth operation.

However, that means for me, looking at it line by line and asking “Is this a want or a true need?” “Is the budgetary number too high?” I will ask that it be sent back to go through again. Should we have a freeze on hiring or a freeze on our taxes? Or both?Looking Ahead 2026 to 2030

Salaries, benefits and pensions are inevitable regardless if there is a union or not.

Having a municipal budget and completely understanding it are very complex. I rely on the expertise of our treasurer to make sure that we are on track. It can be treated much like your personal home budget (of which is strained in today’s world) where we as a person, must decide if I continue to purchase that Starbucks coffee or do I forgo it to make sure my bills are paid for.

Let us do a review of a budget:

1. OPERATING BUDGET is the financial plan for the day to day operations for the Town of Goderich. Included in this would be your snow removal, your fire department and your by-law enforcement to name a few.
2. It also covers the general municipality operations and regular department expenses such as salaries, benefits and pensions and more.
3. The operating budget approximation for 2025 was $22.36 million dollars. What that means is each year, we need to have that amount if not more, in order to continue the day to day operations for the year.
4. CAPITAL BUDGET are the dollars that cover off the municipal assets, including buildings, roads, sewers, water infrastructure, parks and more. These are our long term investments. The residents cannot pay for these services on our own, therefore we rely on other sources.
5. We do rely on both the federal and provincial governments to provide those funds, via grants, but we realize we will never get the full amount required. Maybe we will not get anything at all. This is why we advocate and talk to our government officials to make sure they realize that we need help. EVERY ONE OF THE 444 MUNICIPALITES IN ONTARIO advocate for money and there is only so much to go around. Building relationships with the appropriate government officials is key.
6. Now another thing we must consider is that MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation) has not update any assessments since 2016. If I knew the reasoning behind this, I might be rich as I get asked “When will the update come?”.
7. One thing that a municipality and its council must understand is that the budget MUST BALANCE. We cannot have money left over for the good or for the bad.
8. In my four years of figuring out budgets, I am grateful to say that robust conversations were had with department heads, senior management, my colleagues. Communication is key with everyone and being open to hear others bring ideas forward. Each voice was heard and even though the Province of Ontario introduced Strong Mayor Powers to the Town of Goderich, it was not used. It was a team effort.

Here is a breakdown of our council term for the Town of Goderich residential tax along with the consolidated tax levy:

Residential Tax Rate Overall Tax Levy

2023~~~0.98% 2.0%

2024~~~1.02% 4.75%

2025~~~1.055% 5.91%

2026~~~1.091% 3.0%

In 2019, there was a TAX FREEZE, meaning the tax levy was held FLAT and that continued through COVID. This term of council, in my opinion were put in a position of playing catch up as there was no money being saved in reserves or reserve funds.

I shall end here today as that is quite the load of information to absorb and the next discussion will be on reserves and reserve funds.

As always, reach out if you have any concerns.