Budget Spotlights

 Process and Timeline

Typically, the annual budget process commences at the Senior staff level in July of the preceding budget year. It goes through a series of meetings to Council and is then presented to the public at a special meeting before final adoption. The first presentation to Council is usually in October with final adoption between December and February. However, due to the municipal election this year and to achieve greater community input and engagement, Council approved a new schedule for the 2023 budget.

Below is a summary of the budget approval process and timeline. Residents are encouraged to participate in the 2023 budget process by watching upcoming meetings live on our website and participating in the budget community engagement survey launching in January 2023. 

Did you know that Roads and Public Works key services include operations, maintenance and asset management of the Municipality’s core assets, regulatory compliance, and waste services?

The Draft 2023 Budget includes Princess Street renewal (sanitary water, road and sidewalk infrastructure), surface treatment projects on Concession 10 Pakenham, Concession 12 Ramsay and Blakeney Road, pavement preservation in Blakeney including traffic calming measures (co-tendered with Lanark County) and replacement of a plow truck.

Treatment of the 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% covered by user fees paid by those on municipal water/wastewater services. The Draft 2023 Budget includes renewal of water and sanitary infrastructure on Princess Street, support for digital management of drinking water system, design of infrastructure upgrades and improvements and infiltration prevention/sewer lining.

A Special Committee Of the Whole meeting was held on January 10^th, 2023 regarding the municipality’s 2023 Draft Budget. Presentations took place throughout the day for members of Council to consider the various capital and operating budget requests from municipal departments. You can review the Roads and Public Works presentation in its entirety by clicking here. 

The public is welcome to attend all budget meetings either in person or by tuning in to the livestream. There will be an opportunity for public engagement and feedback before Council approves the final budget in March. 

Protection Services oversees Animal Control, By-law, Emergency Management, Fire and Police. In 2022, By-law filled 541 complaints including 182 complaints under Animal Control. Fire responded to 178 calls, and the OPP have responded to approximately 1,661 calls based on a 4-year average in Mississippi Mills (2022 stats currently not available). The draft 2023 budget for Protection Services includes the hiring of a full-time Fire Prevention Officer, training centre upgrades, fire truck tire replacement, fire hose replacement and increased fleet maintenance.  A Special Committee Of the Whole meeting was held on January 10th, 2023 regarding the municipality’s 2023 draft budget. Presentations took place throughout the day for members of Council to consider the various capital and operating budget requests from municipal departments. You can review the Protective Services presentation in its entirety by clicking here. 

The public is welcome to attend all budget meetings either in person or by tuning in online to the livestream. There will be an opportunity for public engagement and feedback before Council approves the final budget in March.

Development Services consists of Building, Planning and Engineering. In 2022, 357 building permits were issued and there were 113 new residential units. 56 permits are currently being processed. In 2022, Planning and Engineering saw an unprecedented number of development applications - a 60% increase since 2018. The draft 2023 budget includes staff additions, capital projects including the Planning Project Umbrella (coordination of Water/Wastewater Master Plan update) and the Affordable Housing Grant Program.

For a more in depth look at each of the department’s background and budget items, click here.

The public is welcome to attend all budget meetings either in person or by tuning in online to the livestream. There will be an opportunity for public engagement and feedback before Council approves the final budget in March.

Recreation and Culture oversees more than 20 parks throughout Mississippi Mills, sports and leisure activities for seniors, adults and youth, facilities including arenas, ball diamonds and basketball courts, as well as coordinates various events including Canada Day celebrations, Light Up The Night and Santa Claus parades. The 2023 draft budget includes mechanical system upgrades, Wellness Trail fitness equipment and dock improvements at Riverfront Park in Almonte.

The role of Community Economic Development is to revitalize communities, promote sustainability, attract investments, build wealth, encourage entrepreneurship, and create jobs. The draft 2023 budget includes creating an Economic Development Plan, support for municipal events, promotion and tourism, municipal grants and funding support to museums in Mississippi Mills.

For a more in depth look at each of the department’s background and budget items, click here.

Corporate Services consists of Council, Facilities, Finance and Human Resources/Information Technology. The draft 2023 budget includes a Digital Master Plan, roof repairs to various municipal buildings, repairs and refinish elements at Almonte Old Town Hall, and increased IT security and business continuity. The Clerk’s department budget will focus on digitization, implementing components of the Digital Master Plan and governance review. The CAO also provided  members with a loan summary. The municipality’s loan position is healthy according to provincial standards. A notable increase in the 2023 budget is approximately a $150,000 increase in legal services. This increase is as a result of a growing number of legal matters that the municipality has a duty to defend. The amount of legal matter also has implications on the insurance renewal rates which were shared with members.

Mississippi Mills Childcare Services (MMCS) celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022 and changed its name from Almonte Daycare Centre. MMCS has a capacity of 379 children and has four locations across the municipality. The draft 2023 budget includes roof replacement, building repairs and assessing expansion needs.

The Mississippi Mills Public Library operate branches in Almonte and Pakenham. In 2022, nearly 100,000 physical items were circulated, an increase of 36% from 2021. Some of these items include frisbee golf discs, museum and park passes, ukuleles, jigsaw puzzles and knit kits. The draft 2023 budget includes Almonte branch roof repairs, technology and facility upgrades.

The municipality approves its capital and operating budgets annually.  The budget establishes the required tax rates as well as user fees and water and sewer rates to pay for municipal programs and services for the year.  The budget process identifies annually capital projects to be completed, such as the maintenance and replacement of infrastructure.

• 2023 DRAFT Budget