For Immediate Release

South Frontenac Council Approves 2022 Budget

At the February 8^th meeting, South Frontenac Council approved its 2022 operating and capital budgets for the Township, adopting a financial plan for the year that maintains or enhances existing services, funds numerous capital projects and advances a number of priorities from Council’s 2019-2022 Strategic Plan – all while delivering an average tax payer increase of 2%.

While continuing to work towards the vision of being “Natural, Vibrant and Growing – a Progressive Rural Leader”, the 2022 budget supports the Township’s focus of modernizing and improving operations, investing in infrastructure, and addressing emerging community needs such as increased recreational opportunities and climate change.

“The 2021 Canadian Census indicates South Frontenac has grown 8.3% since 2016, with a total population of 20,188 permanent residents,” said Mayor Vandewal. “For this reason, we have been building our organizational capacity over the past few years in anticipation of this growth, as we know it will be a key factor as we move forward with the priorities in our Strategic Plan and 2022 Budget.”

The final budget represents $34,060,849 in operating and capital expenditures and reserve transfers, requiring $21,192,849 to be raised from taxation. As a result, a property with the average assessed value of $273,061 will see an increase of $32.79 (2%) on their 2022 Township tax bill.

“Since 2020, the Township’s budget has been closely tied to Council’s strategic priorities, and this year Council has placed an emphasis on organizational capacity to make sure we can meet growing demands while also preparing for the future,” explained Louise Fragnito, Interim Chief Administrative Officer. "Not only is this commitment represented through additional staff resources, but also through new public communication technology and internal software that will support growth and help make our services more accessible for residents and visitors.”

The Township’s Strategic Plan includes the following overarching priorities; 1) Positioning South Frontenac as a regional leader, 2) Promoting and supporting growth that meets the community’s needs while maintaining the integrity of our natural environment, 3) Ensuring the organizational capacity to deliver cost effective services in a changing world, and 4) To be a catalyst for the creation of vibrant and complete communities.

Projects for this year focus not only on meeting the needs of the community, but also ensure South Frontenac is actioning the priorities set by Council in the Strategic Plan and 2022 Budget. Project highlights include:

• A new marine unit and three (3) new rapid response vehicles for the fire department.
• New Garbage & Recycling Mobile App offering location specific reminders and a waste look up tool.
• Continuation of the Official Plan review process and Verona Housing initiative.
• New Communications tool coming this year that offers Township updates via text, email, or voice recording.
• Funds towards Indigenous engagement and organizational learning.
• New or updated wayfinding signage, including Township gateway signage and new 401 signs showcasing South Frontenac.
• Addition of a roof to the multi-use pad at Centennial Park to allow for more activities and events.
• Significant upgrades to a portion of Westport Road and Battersea Road.
• Ground-breaking on the construction of a new Fire Hall between Sunbury and Battersea.
• $100,000 in funding for Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation initiatives.
• Various upgrades to the McMullen Park sport courts in Verona.
• Completion of a Roads Needs Study, including the assessment of gravel roads.
• Additional resources to support land use policy development and environmental compliance.
• Implementation of a new Heritage Grant program.
• Continued investment in pavement preservation on 16 Township roadways, totalling 33km of completed work.
• Support and administration for the 2022 Municipal Election in October.

“As these projects move forward, I encourage you to stay connected and provide input whenever possible through our online engagement portal,” said Vandewal. “Our constituents are always our first priority, so having input from residents helps Council to find a balance between providing the desired services and respecting household incomes,” explained Vandewal.

Further information about the 2022 budget will be circulated to rate payers with their Interim Tax Notice in March. For more detailed information on the 2022 Budget, please visit our customer engagement portal at website at www.engagefrontenac.net.

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For more information on this release please contact:

Emily Caird
Executive Assistant & Communications Officer
613-376-3027 ext.2260
communications@southfrontenac.net

Should you wish to comment on any of the below information, please reference the topic and provide comments in writing through the "Submit Feedback" tab.

What you Need to Know about Municipal Budgets

The annual budget operationalizes the Township's Strategic Plan and is the equivalent of “Putting your money where your mouth is,” or it’s “Where the rubber hits the road.”

As a strategic document, or roadmap, the budget should clearly show:

• What the community values,
• What it wants to get done, and
• Where it wants to be in the future.

Some Notes about the 2022 Budget Package

The Capital budget does NOT include carry-over projects (projects approved and funded in prior year budgets); however, work may continue on those projects in 2022.

Transfers from reserves can vary significantly year over year, and these amounts are largely driven by annual capital requirements.

This budget is in line with Council’s long range financial plan which considers the Township’s ability to fund capital and operations over a 10-year period while observing strategic priorities and maintaining tax rate targets and reserve balances.

What Story does the 2022 Budget Tell?

While it’s the last budget of this term Council, it’s NOT only about wrapping things up - it will also continue to implement Council’s strategic plan with new initiatives and goals.

The Township made it through big changes in the past year; 2022 is a year of refinement where the organization will work to streamline services and address important policy initiatives that were brought forward in 2021. Some of these initiatives and services include:

• Gravel roads and Asset Management,
• Affordable Housing,
• Short-term Rentals,
• Shoreline Protection,
• By-law Enforcement,
• Enhanced Recreation, Parks & Leisure, and
• Continued organizational capacity-building

Despite the variety of projects on the go, the Township still aims to maintain a strong financial position with each municipal budget.

Council Direction and Strategic Priorities

At the December 14, 2021, Committee of the Whole Meeting, Council received a report which laid out various budget pressures and community survey feedback regarding the 2022 budget.

Highlights of that report included:

• Budget survey results – ratepayer openness to reasonable tax increases to maintain or enhance services,
• Climate Change, Economic Development, Shoreline Protection priorities,
• Parks & Outdoor Amenities, Recreation priorities,
• Budget Delegations (Petworth/Bellrock Mills, Volleyball Courts),
• Discussed “growth funds growth” approach to organizational development, and
• Council strategic priority areas needing increased focus (see image below)

Complete 2019-2022 Strategic Plan can be found here.

The following information represents a quick look at how this year's budget impacts taxpayers and the Township as a whole,

• Total operating budget of $22,244,820.
• Total capital budget of $9,799,700.
• Represents 2% impact on average assessed property.
• Taxes (Township share) of $1,673.47 on average assessment of $273,061.
• Represents an increase of $32.79/year over 2021 base* amount (*before one-time tax reduction of 0.5% funded from reserves for pandemic relief).

Property Assessment During the Pandemic

• Due to the pandemic, reassessment of properties did not occur in 2021 or 2022 and is not anticipated until at least 2024, so there is no phased-in assessment revenue in 2022 (for the second year in a row).
• Assessment growth is 1.06% or $221,775, less than the anticipated amount of 1.75% or $350,000.
• This lower than expected amount is largely a result of delayed assessment by MPAC – NOT due to less than anticipated building.
• Based on a “growth funds growth” approach to organizational development, this lower assessment growth means less investment in human resources in 2022 budget than initially proposed.

Should you wish to comment on any of this information, please reference the topic and provide comments in writing through the "Submit Feedback" tab.

The following chart represents the various strategic initiatives that are represented in the proposed Draft 2022 Municipal Budget.

Should you wish to comment on these priorities, please provide comments in writing through the "Submit Feedback" tab.

*Click the image to enlarge*

Delegations to Council - 2022 Budget Input

Council invites residents to provide input for the 2022 Budget via delegation or online survey. Those interested in presenting to Council on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, are encouraged to contact the Clerk’s office at Extension 2222 to be placed on the agenda.

Requests to present to Council and/or written submissions must be sent to the Clerk’s Office by noon on Thursday, November 18, 2021, in person or via email to admin@southfrontenac.net.

As an alternative to a delegation, residents can participate in the pre-budget survey found here.