Your 2025 Budget: Building a Safer, Stronger Township Together

Over the past several months, Council and staff have worked hard to create a balanced 2025 budget that reflects your priorities while addressing the financial challenges we face. After consulting residents through surveys, public meetings, and working sessions, the budget was approved on November 12, 2024.

Here’s what you need to know about how your tax dollars are being invested and why this budget is an investment in our community’s future.

What’s Driving the 2025 Budget?

Like many households, the Township is feeling the effects of inflation. Rising costs for daily goods and services (Consumer Price Index) and construction projects (Construction Price Index) are creating challenges for all municipalities across the province.

Adding to this, an unexpected and unprecedented increase in OPP policing fees, revealed late in the budgeting process, has added significant pressure. These fees, which the Township cannot control, account for a notable portion of this year’s tax adjustment. To address this, we are actively lobbying the Solicitor General to provide relief for municipalities facing this unexpected burden.

Despite these challenges, Council worked closely with staff to develop a responsible plan that balances current needs with long-term goals. Central to this plan is our Asset Management Policy, which ensures we are setting aside funds now to maintain and replace aging infrastructure as needed, avoiding sudden and significant tax increases in the future.

What’s Not Driving the 2025 Budget?

Some residents have expressed concerns that the newly initiated recreation complex is driving this year’s tax increase. This is not true.

Since 2018, the Township has been setting money aside for this project through small annual increases, which have compounded over time. This forward-thinking financial plan ensures residents will not experience a major tax increase as the project begins or when the complex opens.

We continue to follow this financial plan while actively pursuing grants to further enhance the project’s financial sustainability. The recreation complex remains a key investment in our community's well-being, but it has not impacted the 2025 tax adjustment.

What Does This Mean for Your Taxes?

The average household will see a $15 monthly increase in 2025 property taxes, lower than the $19 originally proposed. Here’s the breakdown:

• $5/month: Increased OPP policing fees.
• $10/month: Maintaining current services, upgrading infrastructure, and funding reserves for future needs.

It’s important to note that municipal taxes account for only 40–50% of your total tax bill. The remaining portion goes toward:

• United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR): Regional services.
• School Board taxes: Supporting local education.

This municipal tax increase is focused on delivering essential services and ensuring long-term planning while impacting only a portion of your overall tax bill.

What Are We Investing In?

This year’s budget focuses on both immediate needs and long-term priorities:

• Fire Services: Investments in firefighter training and equipment to enhance community safety.
• Infrastructure Upgrades: Maintaining roads, water systems, and public buildings to avoid costly future repairs.
• Future Planning: Allocating $15.75 million—30% of the operational budget—to reserves, ensuring we can replace or repair aging infrastructure and support critical capital projects that strengthen our community’s resilience and economic health.

A Responsible Plan for the Future

This budget reflects our commitment to maintaining high-quality services while securing the Township’s long-term financial stability. By planning ahead, we’re building a community we can all be proud of—for today and for future generations.

Learn More

Want to dive deeper into the 2025 budget? The details of the adopted budget will be available next week at www.russell.ca/budget or email us at finances@russell.ca with your questions.