Tay Township Council Approves 2021 Budget

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: December 16, 2020
Time: 9:00 P.M.

Tay Township Council Approves 2021 Budget

Tay, Ontario – On December 16, 2020 Tay Township Council approved the Township’s 2021 budget that includes $9.7 million in taxation and $5.2 million in water & wastewater rates and levies.

Tay Township’s municipal tax increase for 2021 is 2%, following an increase of 0% in 2020 as a result of Council’s immediate and decisive action to support residents in the face of COVID-19. The overall tax bill impact in 2021 is projected to be at or below 1.2%. For an average home in Tay assessed at $222,938, this will mean an increase of $2.42/month.

The Township’s annual budget also includes funding from reserves, grants, development charges and investments which all contribute to funding municipal services and construction projects.  In 2021 Tay has planned to undertake $2.6 million in taxation supported capital projects and $3.8 million in water & wastewater rate supported capital projects.  While water rates will remain the same in 2021 as they were in 2020, wastewater system users will see a 4% increase to rates or $3/month for a single family home.

Tay Township Manager of Financial Services/Treasurer Joanne Sanders noted that “the Township has delivered a lean budget this year with increases largely due to unavoidable financial pressures such as insurance premium increases, and a reduction of our unconditional grant transfer payment from the Province.”

Mayor Ted Walker added that “Council and Staff worked hard on our 2021 budget to ensure funding for our essential operations and capital programs, while at the same time recognizing the need for financial constraint during this difficult time.”

Budget Highlights

Tay Area Water Treatment Plant Upgrades and Taste & Odor Control

Council is investing $3.9 million into upgrading the capacity of the Tay Area Water Treatment Plant, and adding GAC (granular active carbon) filtration to improve water taste and odour.  Work on this project is already underway, and will be wrapped up by end of summer 2021.

Port McNicoll Fire Hall Health and Safety Upgrades

Council applied for a Grant through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream and selected the Port McNicoll Fire Hall as the best option to meet the grants eligibility.  The Project will include adding a barrier free washroom and shower room, lockers, and a new ventilated room for bunker gear to address both ventilation and contamination of gear, as well an update to new LED lighting.

MacKenzie Beach Park Improvements

A new accessible washroom is planned to be constructed in MacKenzie Beach Park to enhance the experience of park users that frequent this popular Tay recreational destination throughout the summer months.  Originally scheduled for construction in 2020, this project was delayed as a result of COVID-19 impacts on municipal operations. 

For up-to-date information about the impacts of COVID-19 precautions on Tay Township municipal services, please visit tay.ca/COVID-19, follow us on Twitter @TayTownship or call us at 705-534-7248.

Tay Township is committed to delivering responsive and cost-effective municipal services and infrastructure that provide for the long-term economic, social and environmental well-being of its residents and community.

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Contacts:

Ted Walker

Mayor

Phone: 705-534-7248 x258

Email: twalker@tay.ca

Joanne Sanders

Manager of Financial Services

Phone: 705-534-7248 x226

Email: jsanders@tay.ca

Elizabeth Smith

Communications Specialist

Phone: 705-534-7248 x264