At the Council meeting on Tuesday, February 20th, Town Council approved the 2024
budget with a 4.9 per cent increase to the Town’s portion of the tax levy, 1.16 per cent
reduction on the Town’s wastewater tax levy, for an overall property tax increase of 4
per cent when combined with the regional and educational levies. The 4.9 per cent
increase to the Town’s portion of the tax levy excluding wastewater results in residential
property taxes increase by $67 per year ($5.60 a month), for an average residential
household assessed at $442,000.
The 2024 budget supports valuable services and initiatives for the Grimsby community
while being fiscally responsible, financially sustainable, and supportive to the needs of
the organization. It builds on the momentum and progress achieved in the previous
year, with a focus on building a strong and sustainable community yet maintains a
continued commitment to building an innovative and vibrant community where people
and the environment matter.
2024 Budget Highlights:
• $30.6 million gross operating expenditures; $17.8 million net levy.
• $7.6 million wastewater gross operating expenditures with 50 per cent funded
through tax levy and 50 per cent funded through wastewater rates.
• $8.1 million water gross operating expenditures.
• Council has committed to investing $10.2 million in Capital budget that include
investments in road and park infrastructure, and ensuring emergency service
vehicles are maintained.
Community engagement on the 2024 budget was completed via an online survey and
results were considered by the Corporate Leadership Team while preparing the budget.
Throughout the budget development process, the Town took a balanced approach to
prioritize the maintenance of existing services and infrastructure, while also advancing
new and sustainable opportunities to enhance and expand our services in alignment
with Council’s 2023-2026 Strategic Priorities.
Some of key investments being made to meet Council’s Strategic Priorities include:
• People – Supporting happy, healthy lives in a well-connected inclusive
community through:
o Customer service and communication strategies
o The Fire Master Plan.
o Investing in the Transportation Master Plan to support future growth.
o Investing in active living infrastructure such as the Peach King Centre
Expansion, Whittaker Park, Casablanca Beach Park, and the 40 Mile
Creek Bridge.
• Places – Fostering vibrant neighbourhoods while protecting and promoting our
natural environment through:
o Developing strong plans on how Grimsby grows,
supported by the Official Plan, the Heritage Study, while balancing
emerging legislative changes.
o Protecting and improving our natural environment through the Tree
planting programs and continued environmental sustainability.
o Promoting a vibrant, active, safe Grimsby by investing in the Downtown
Reimagined project, supporting the Farmers Market, and completing
parking studies to support resident and commercial business needs.
• Prosperity – Driving innovation and collaboration in our local economy to benefit
everyone by investing in:
o The Town’s website to improve information sharing and attract
businesses.
o A tourism strategy to promote the Town of Grimsby
o The Asset Management Plan to ensure strategic investments to maximize
asset life.
The 2024 budget was developed considering historical actual results inclusive of the
2023 forecast for the year, operational concerns, services delivery requirements, and
identified areas of investment and resourcing. The 2024 budget ensures all Town
services are maintained while respecting taxpayer affordability and considering financial
sustainability.
For more information, visit https://www.grimsby.ca/en/town-hall/budgets.aspx.