Northumberland County is kicking off the process to develop the 2023 County Budget with the launch of a survey to gather feedback from the public. Residents, local business owners and community partners are encouraged to share their input on areas of focus for the County’s current and long-term financial priorities by completing the 2023 Budget Survey.
“Gathering feedback from our community is an essential part of the County’s annual budget process,” states Warden Bob Crate. “The information gathered through the 2023 Budget Survey will inform staff’s development of a draft budget, as well as County Council’s review of this budget in December. To ensure the allocation of tax dollars continues to efficiently meet the evolving needs of our community, we would like to hear from residents, business owners and community partners to better understand how you would like to see your tax dollars invested to best meet diverse community needs. Council encourages everyone to take a few minutes to share your feedback and priorities to help shape this budget.”
The 2023 Budget Survey launches the County’s rigorous annual budgeting process. This process, which this year includes milestones between May and January, determines the allocation of tax dollars for the upcoming year, supporting the delivery of the municipal programs and services on which our community relies. It also informs a ten-year financial model that supports planning for large projects on the horizon.
A report on the results of the 2023 Budget Survey will be presented to Council in July. This report, along with direction set to be provided by Council in June on a target base levy (property tax) increase, will be guideposts for staff in developing a draft budget for recommendation to Council in December 2022.
To help shape Northumberland County’s 2023 budget, community members are invited to complete a brief survey, open now until May 31. The survey is available through Join In Northumberland – the County’s online public consultation portal – at JoinIn.Northumberland.ca, where people can also sign-up to receive email notifications about milestones in the budget development process, including upcoming presentations to committees and Council.
About Northumberland County
Located on the traditional territory of the Mississauga, Northumberland County is a thriving community just one hour east of Toronto along Highway 401, with easy access to urban centres to the north, east and west. As the upper tier level of municipal government for the region, Northumberland County’s vision is to bring together people, partnerships and possibilities for a strong and vibrant Northumberland. Our community includes seven distinct yet complementary municipalities, with County Council comprised of the Mayors of each of these member municipalities:
• Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
• Municipality of Brighton
• Town of Cobourg
• Township of Cramahe
• Township of Hamilton
• Municipality of Port Hope
• Municipality of Trent Hills