Review of the City of Brockville’s 2025 Budget Began on Tuesday with Water, Wastewater Operation & Capital Budgets and User Fees

Brockville – City council kicked off budget discussions for the 2025 Budget at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

First up was the Water and Wastewater Operation and Capital Budgets and User Fees presented by staff.

City staff presented two rate scenarios to council and recommended scenario two.

Scenario two involves funding $305,000 of Water Capital projects from the Water rates, as well as $881,000 of Wastewater Capital from the Wastewater rates. This scenario includes the contribution to Water reserves of $200,000 and to Wastewater reserves of $500,000.

The net increase in the rates is 5.39%, which is comprised of an 11.00% increase in the Water rates and a decrease of 7.50% in the Wastewater rates.

For more information: https://brockville.civicweb.net/FileStorage/E1CA7CB96AED486C96FC233588139D45-2025%20Water%20and%20Wastewater%20Budget%20Book%20-%20Version%201%20.pdf

Staff asked that Council approve the 2025 Water Operating Budget, according to Scenario 2, with total net expenses of $3,796,245 not including Capital; and that they approve the 2025 Wastewater Operating Budget, according to Scenario 2, with total net expenses of $5,618,202 not including Capital.

They also asked that Council approve the Water Capital Budget totalling $1,830,000 funded as follows:

• • $305,000 funded by water rates
• • $725,000 funded by grants
• • $800,000, funded by reserves; and

and approve the Wastewater Capital budget totalling $961,000 funded as follows:

• • $881,000 funded by wastewater rates
• • $80,000 funded by grants; and

As well that Council approve the Water and Wastewater Rates applicable to the final approved Water and Wastewater Budgets.

Funding for Water and Wastewater systems is provided by user rates, a portion of the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF), and reserves. There is no contribution from property tax fees.

Total suggested increases of 8.7% for water and 3.2% for wastewater over 2024 figures were considered along with some additional spending requested for capital items. Water and Wastewater operating and capital budgets are to be fully funded by water and wastewater rates and provincial funding, with no direct impact on the tax levy.

Staff explained that a local water rate comparison indicates that Brockville’s non-commercial water rates still rank the lowest compared to Smiths Falls, Gananoque and Prescott.

The Water and Wastewater budgets will be returning to Council for further consideration at their meeting on December 10, 2024.

Staff also presented city council with the proposed 2025 User Fees.

User Fees include charges applied directly to individuals who use specific services, such as airport landing fees, ice rentals, or island camping fees associated with licensing, planning applications and other items. These fees are intended to offset some of the costs associated with providing such services.

The 2025 User Fees will be in effect as of January 1st to ensure the fees align with the overall budget and support financial planning for the coming year.