Grimsby Town Council Unanimously Approves 2022 Budget

For Immediate Release

February 23, 2022

Grimsby Town Council Unanimously Approves 2022 Budget

At the Council meeting of February 22, 2022, Town Council approved the 2022 Budget, which goes beyond pandemic recovery to build today for a better Grimsby tomorrow.

The operating and capital works associated with the 2022 Budget results in a 1.99 per cent local tax increase and a combined local, regional and education tax increase of 2.29 per cent. The local tax increase amounts to an additional $36 per year ($3 a month), for an average residential household assessed at $442,000, and is well below the current 5.19 per cent inflation rate.

The budget builds off of the momentum gained in 2021 to advance Council’s Strategic Priorities, provides support to residents and local businesses, and allocates resources to ensure a safe operating environment for customers and employees, all while maintaining a careful line of sight to financial sustainability and taxpayer affordability.

The 2022 Budget considers how the Town can assist residents and businesses with immediate investments to support urgent needs this year. Highlights include:

• Supporting the physical and mental health of our residents through investments in our parks, playgrounds and trail system, including Coronation Park and Whittaker Park.
• Supporting the ongoing needs of our local businesses through an economic development strategy, continued services to access government funding programs and a strong corporate focus on business expansion and retention.
• Planning for responsible growth and development through the commencement of the official plan review, transportation master plan and Grimsby Secondary School conceptual plan.
• Providing alternate transportation options through continued investment in NRT OnDemand with a formalized commitment to an integrated regional transit service model.
• Increasing accessibility to the Grimsby Public Library and Art Gallery through the elimination of late fees and admission fees.

• Delivering an accountable and transparent 2022 election process with expanded voting locations and alternative voting methods.
• Providing unique events by welcoming the 2022 Canada Summer Games and offering year-round events in recognition of Grimsby's 100th anniversary.
• Preserving and enhancing Grimsby’s distinct heritage and culture through investments in Grimsby Beach and Main Street East.

The 2022 Budget also plans for a strong Grimsby into the future, laying the groundwork and supporting planning and construction for pivotal community projects. Highlights include:

• Design for new community amenities through the Peach King Centre Expansion and Casablanca Waterfront park construction.
• Investing in environmental sustainability through shoreline protection and tree planting.
• Energizing our historic town centre through investment in our new “Downtown Reimagined” community vision initiative and watermain design.
• Providing a safe, multi-modal transportation experience through the Casablanca/ QEW interchange.
• Advancing the shared fire services pilot with a fire master plan and financial review.
• Realizing a historic Town commitment to the redevelopment of West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, with shovels in the ground in 2022.

All of the above investments are being proposed with careful line-of-sight to financial sustainability for the Town and affordability for residents and businesses. The Town has sustainably leveraged its reserve funds in support of these exciting project and asset rehabilitation and renewal as appropriate, but has not used any reserves unsustainably to support base operations.

“Our team has spent a tremendous amount of time and effort creating a budget that appropriately balances the needs of residents and businesses today while ensuring Grimsby will have a strong and bright future.” Harry Schlange, CAO.

“I’m very proud of the budget Town staff have prepared,” said Mayor Jeff Jordan. “It not only ensures Council can advance its Strategic Priorities, but allows us to make investments that will support Grimsby’s growing population for years to come. Above all else, it ensures the Town remains financially sustainable while investing in a brighter future.”

Contact:

Melanie Steele
Interim Director of Finance/Treasurer
msteele@grimsby.ca