Wellesley makes it official with 2018 budget, 2.98% tax increase

WELLESLEY COUNCIL VOTED TO approve the township’s 2018 budget as is at a public meeting Tuesday evening. The budget sets the tax levy increase at 2.98 per cent, representing an additional $43 per year in taxes for the average household valued at $349,000. Rates from the region were unavailable, reported township staff, for a total tax rate change.

Township revenues are projected to increase by $259,000 over last year to $7.7-million this year, with major contributions coming from the increased property tax, additional grant money from the province and building department revenue. The provincial OMPF grant – an unconditional money grant to the municipality – increased this year by 14 per cent to $780,900.

The capital budget jumped to $4.3-million this year, up from last year’s $2.9-million, as Wellesley spends more from its reserves on large scale projects. The two biggest increases in capital expenditure was additional $900,000 in bridge projects, mainly due to a replacement of bridge 26 along Nafziger North in Wellesley village, and $700,000 in fire department projects.

“I think it’s a good budget,” said Mayor Joe Nowak in an inteview. “It’s certainly a forward-looking budget, continuing to do some of the work that our constituents wanted. We’re paving more of rural roads, we’re doing sidewalk work. So yes, I think it’s a decent budget.”