Rideau Lakes Council passed the 2024 budget on March 4 at their regular meeting.  The 2024 budget demonstrates Council’s commitment to targeted investments in a wide range of community assets.

Considering the inflationary pressures in play to maintain key resources, Council has successfully limited the local tax rate increase to 3.5 percent.  When combined with the proposed County tax rate increase, subject to final approval by the Counties, (estimated at 6.14 percent) it would result in a combined tax rate increase of 4.0 percent, (compared to 4.35 in 2023). The Education Tax Rate did not change.

The 2024 budget comes in at $24.5 million with just over $8.9 million invested in capital assets including $3 million in the Portland Hall/Library, $1.8 million new Fire Station, $1.3 million Large Machinery, Equipment and Vehicles, $1.9 million in Roads and the remainder in Facilities, Portland Landfill and Fire Equipment.  

Road reconstruction is planned for Grady Road, Lock Road, and Sheldon Road.  Road work is planned for fourteen surface-treated roads. This includes resurfacing of Clear Lake Road, Cross Road, Eighth Concession, Forfar Road, Golf Club Road, Golf Course Road, Indian Lake Road, Otter Lake Road, Porter Road, Short Point Road, a 5.9 km section of Old Kingston Road, Judd Street and Queen Street in Morton, plus the rehabilitation of Big Rideau Lake Road.

As part of the regular maintenance schedule, resurfacing will extend the life of the road assets, reduce overall maintenance costs, and provide an improved driver experience for our residents and visitors.  Investments in roads are prioritized based on the condition of the road and the Township’s broader Asset Management Plan.

Gravel roads will continue to benefit from the enhanced gravel re-application program.  In-house and contract services will continue to improve roadside drainage, brushing, and improving sightlines for user safety.

For the delivery of core municipal services, $1.9 million has been budgeted for large vehicles and equipment including items such as a backhoe, single axle plow truck, a ¾ ton truck and a waste truck. Within the Road budget, improvements to the Scott Island Ferry will be made in 2024. These replacement assets will be used to maintain visibility along our roadways, snow plowing, and to provide waste collection services. 

$1.8 million has been budgeted for the new Fire Station of which we expect to receive $790K in insurance proceeds.  $180K has also been budgeted within the Fire Department to replace equipment, such as Bunker Gear, Fire Training Equipment, Fire Equipment, and Fire Hoses.

Community facilities will also benefit under the 2024 budget, with the commitment to build a new Community Hall and Library in Portland, a new roof for the Red Brick School House, modernization and expansion of the electrical system at the Portland Harbour, as well as boat launch rehabilitation and village sidewalk replacement and expansion throughout the Township.

The Township’s environmental commitments continue with the expansion of the mandatory septic inspection program.  In 2024, we will see the program expand from 300 inspections to 400 annually.  Rideau Lakes also continues its innovative Lake Association Grant program that provides formula-based funding to support these important groups in their efforts toward conservation, research, and community-led projects.

This year, the Township will add three positions to improve public services: one in the Treasury Department, one in the Fire Department, and one in the Roads Department.

Other projects to be funded in 2024 include the Private Road Grant program, the Delta Berm Review, and completion of the newly branded community signs.

Mayor Hoogenboom remarked, “This is undoubtedly a difficult budget year. I commend our staff and all members of Council for their hard work and compromise. Council has done its part to bring in a budget and tax rate increase within inflation rates without reducing services for our residents.” 

Overall, the tax rate in Rideau Lakes remains one of the lowest in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.