Budget Spotlights
The Municipality will be publishing regular 2024 budget articles to help inform residents about the process, why it's important, legislative requirements and how their tax dollars are being spent. Subscribe to our Newsfeed to get the articles in your email.
Process and Timeline |
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The annual budget process for 2024 is scheduled to begin in July of 2023, so that adequate time and attention can be given to proactive and informed budgeting. The budget schedule includes milestones for community stakeholders, Council, senior staff, and the Finance team. We are aiming for final adoption of the budget in December of 2023 so that we can begin the new year with a budget and plan in place. Identified stakeholders in the 2024 budget process include residents and community partners, Council, senior staff, and the municipality’s finance team. A collaborative approach to development and adoption of the budget will help us consider the priorities and planning that meet the needs of the community in a fiscally responsible manner. To enhance communication, we are once again planning bi-weekly ‘budget spotlight’ bulletins which will provide information to the public about the budget, priorities, plans for spending, legislative requirements, and the decision-making process. Below is a summary of the budget approval process and timeline. Residents are encouraged to participate in the 2024 budget process by watching upcoming meetings live on our website and participating in the public engagement survey launching in August 2023.
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Budget Survey | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
We want to hear from you! Tell us what your thoughts are on what the Municipality should do in 2024. The Budget is one of the most important matters your elected Council will decide, and your input will help Council identify key investments and priorities and balance them with tax and fee changes. |
Budget Spotlight #1 - How Are My Tax Dollars Spent? |
The Municipality’s share of taxes pays for municipal services, such as:
For every dollar the Municipality spends:
The school boards' (educational) share of taxes is directed to:
Priority Investment AreasThe Municipality’s capital budget allocations ensure that funds are invested to renew and build infrastructure to support residents in our community now and as we grow. In 2023, funds were allocated as follows.
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Budget Spotlight #2 - Mississippi Mills Childcare Services |
MMCS has a capacity of 379 children, offering full day care, as well as before and after school programs, at four locations across the municipality:
All MMCS programs are planned and implemented by qualified Early Childhood Educators. Specialized services, including speech therapy and behaviour development, are also offered for each child’s individual needs through ConnectWell Community Health. The following projects are included in the draft 2024 Budget:
For more information on Mississippi Mills Childcare Services, including registration forms, visit: https://www.mississippimills.ca/en/municipal-services/child-care.aspx. |
Budget Spotlight #3 - Protective Services |
Police services are provided by the Ontario Provincial Police. The Police Services Act legislates policing in Ontario and authorizes the OPP to provide:
In 2023, the OPP have responded to 1,149 calls in Mississippi Mills, surpassing the five-year average for service calls. The Mississippi Mills Fire Department (MMFD), which includes Station 1 in Almonte and Station 2 in Pakenham has. So far in 2023, MMFD has responded to 132 calls for service. The top three incidents are:
For more on Emergency Services, visit: https://www.mississippimills.ca/en/municipal-services/emergency-services.aspx.
The Municipality responds on a complaint driven basis for By-law enforcement. Residents with concerns about property standards, noise, winter parking or other miscellaneous by-law infractions are encouraged to file a formal complaint with the Municipality. So far in 2023, By-law has filled 293 complaints, including:
For more on By-law Enforcement, visit: https://www.mississippimills.ca/en/municipal-hall/by-law-enforcement.aspx.
The Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act requires Ontario Municipalities to implement a mandatory emergency management program. Mississippi Mills has a Municipal Emergency Control Management Group which meets regularly to direct the Municipality’s response in the event of an emergency and implements the Municipality’s Emergency Response Plan.
The Municipality’s animal control regulations are based on the consolidated By-law 14-21. For more information on animal control services, visit: https://www.mississippimills.ca/en/municipal-services/animal-control-services.aspx.
The draft 2024 Budget includes the following equipment and capital upgrades for Protective Services:
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Budget Spotlight #4 - Roads and Public Works |
The Municipality maintains more than 360 kilometres of roads in Mississippi Mills. The department includes 16 full-time employees, 3 seasonal and 1 casual employee. Did you know the total replacement costs of the Municipality’s core infrastructure assets is estimated at $316.8 million? How is that broken down?
The draft budget contains $6,135,385 in proposed capital projects for Roads and Public Works. Projects include:
The Municipality is responsible for winter road maintenance including plowing, sanding and salting more than 360 kilometres of roadway. The Municipality must comply with Ontario’s Minimum Maintenance Standard for all roads. For more on winter control and parking: https://www.mississippimills.ca/en/municipal-services/winter-control-and-parking.aspx.
Treatment of Water and Wastewater is managed through a contract with Ontario Clean Water Agency, and the distribution of the watermains and wastewater collection system is managed and operated internally by Public Works. It’s important to note that water and wastewater costs are 100 per cent covered by user fees paid by those on municipal water/wastewater services. Visit https://www.mississippimills.ca/en/municipal-services/water-and-sewage.aspx for more information.
The draft budget contains $7,396,473 in proposed capital projects for Water and Sewer. Projects include:
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