Municipality of Bayham

Budget Consultation

The Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Bayham is seeking public input for Council consideration on the 2024 Municipal Capital and Operating Budgets.

This Budget Consultation portion of the website is constructed to provide relevant background information for those seeking to provide input on the budgets.  The purpose of the consultation is to ensure Council is aware of public input, in an advisory nature, prior to the budgets being deliberated by Council.  Public comments obtained during the consultation will be incorporated as an appendix within the Staff Budget Report to Council for Council consideration. 

Public Consultation input may be submitted by utilizing the ‘Budget Consultation Feedback Form’ at the bottom of this page, by email to consultations@bayham.on.ca with the subject line ‘2024 Budget Consultation’ or in hard copy at the Municipal Office.

 

The budget consultation period runs from February 3, 2023 to August 31, 2023. 

For additional information, which cannot be found within the consultation documents, please do not hesitate to contact the Municipal Treasurer:

Lorne James | C.P.A. | CA | Treasurer

E: ljames@bayham.on.ca

T: 519-866-5521

Municipal Budget Overview:

Section 290(1) of the Municipal Act requires local municipalities in each year to prepare and adopt a budget. The Municipality currently prepares three budgets:

  1. Capital Budget,
  2. Operating Budget; and
  3. 10-Year Capital Plan

The purpose of preparing budgets is to allow Council to develop policy in financial terms and to assist in setting priorities and establishing service levels for the upcoming year before expenditures take place.

Budget Schedule


2023 Budget Review Dates Start Time
Budget Public Consultation February 3, 2023 – August 31, 2023
2024 and 10 Year Capital Plan

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

(Special Meeting)

6:30 p.m.

2024 Levy Supported Operating Budget Tuesday, January 9, 2024 (Special Meeting)

Thursday, January 18, 2024 (Budget Open House)
6:30 p.m.


6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Historic Budgets

 

Municipal Budgets, including the 2022 Operating Budget and 2022 Capital Budgets are available for review on the Municipal Website under ‘Budgets

The information within the same demonstrates how funds have been allocated to municipal projects in both the Operating and Capital Budgets.

The 2022 Budgets showcase, for forecasting purposes the 2022 Operating Budgets and the 2022-2031 Capital Budget.  These forecasted budgets are subject to changes based on project criteria and decisions of Council, however the forecasted budgets gives the community a starting place for comments on the budgets.

Potential Base Budget Impacts:

Each year Council must consider impacts on the base budget. These budget drivers may include, but are not limited to:

  • Annualization of previous years initiatives;
  • General inflation;
  • Foreign exchange fluctuations;
  • Utility cost increases;
  • Impact of fluctuating fuel costs and costs of petroleum based products;
  • increased transfers to Reserves and Reserve Funds to fund capital programs based on 10 year capital budget from 2022;
  • Provincial funding level changes, including the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund  (OMPF) Grant

Budget Information & Terminology

What exactly is a budget?

A planned itemized summary of money coming into the Municipality and how that money will be spent over a specified period of time. Watch this short video to learn more.

Did you know?

Provincial Government (Ontario) legislates that money coming into a municipality must equal money going out.  This is also known as a balanced budget!

What is the difference between Capital & Operating Budgets?

Operating Budget:

  • Pays for all the day to day activities of the Corporation;
  • Examples:
    • Regular maintenance activities prescribed by the manufacturer that would normally be required to ensure that the asset is able to provide service at a level and quality as originally intended (i.e. lubrication of motor and compressors, replacement of filters) or as required by the product warranty.
    • Routine maintenance and expenditures, such as repainting, cleaning and replacing minor parts.
    • Utilities, insurance and administrative expenses

Capital budget:

  • Pays for all new big investments or rehabilitation of assets currently under the Municipality’s control
  • Five Thousand dollars ($5,000) or greater and meets one of the following criteria:
    • the replacement or overhaul of an asset or major component that will extend the useful life of the asset;
    • the expenditure results in an increase in the service quality of the asset
    • the expenditure results in an increase in the capacity of the asset; and
    • the efficiency of the asset is increased or associated operating costs are lowered – such as replacing existing lighting with energy saving lighting or replacing a furnace with a high efficiency furnace thereby decreasing future operating costs

What are Reserves & Reserve Funds?

  • A Reserve Fund is an amount set aside for a specific purpose by authority of a by-law (or as required by legislation) that is carried from year to year unless utilized or formally closed.
  • Reserves are also amounts carried from year to year, but reserves are set up by resolution of Council and are utilized mainly as a plan against budget contingencies, large item procurement or unforeseen events.

How the Municipal Budget Works

 

How Property Tax is Calculated

 

 

For additional Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) information please refer to the MPAC website.

For additional information on Tax Rates please refer to the ‘Tax Rates’ portion of the Municipal Website.

For additional information on understanding you tax bill, please refer to the ‘Property Tax Information’ and the 'How To Understand Your Tax Bill' portions of the Municipal Website.

Public Consultation Form