KING CITY, ONT.—The Township of King has approved a 4.95-per-cent increase, which responds to the rising cost of inflation, insurance and contract increases while balancing the need for additional enhancements in the Township’s portion of the 2023 Budget.
King’s operating budget for 2023 is $63.7 million, and the capital budget is $33.9 million, for a total budget of $97.6 million. Township Council approved the budget at a Council meeting on Feb. 6. The average increase for the Township portion of municipal tax is 2.1 per cent between 2019 and 2023.
The budget presentation details are posted on King’s website at king.ca/budget. The Township reached out to residents for their input, hosting an online public information session and gathering input through an in-person budget open house before proposing the increase to Council.
What Township Taxes Fund
The Township portion of King’s annual property tax funds operating budgets to fund current service levels, programs and services as well as capital infrastructure. This includes snow removal from roads and sidewalks, road and bridge repairs and maintenance, fire and emergency services, parks, arenas, facilities and library branches.
Here are some budget highlights.
Major Capital Projects
Funding for these projects was approved in the 2023 Budget.
- Township-Wide Recreation Centre: $86 million (2018-2024), Federal/Provincial contribution: $38.8 million
- 10th Concession – King Road to 15th Sideroad to Hwy #27: $9.8 million (2019-2024)
- Bridge and Culvert Rehabilitation: $2 million a year
- Salamander Community Park, Phase 2:$211,680, which includes an Outdoor Ice Rink
- Reinterpret Train Station and Church Rehabilitation: $1.57 million over three years (2023-2025)
- Roads and Related Infrastructure Improvements / Gravel Conversions: $2.5 million to include various road resurfacing and gravel conversions
- Kettleby Road Reconstruction: $1.8 million over three years (2023-2025).
Quotes
Mayor Steve Pellegrini
Township of King
“At King Township, we recognize the challenges taxpayers have faced with the rising cost of inflation. That is why Council instructed staff to find a way to achieve a budget below the inflation cost while balancing the needs of the community. Our King team responded with a budget that continues to offer a great quality of life here in King.
The Township portion of the 2023 budget, at 4.95 per cent, includes responding to contract increases, the rising costs of insurance and growth pressures while still finding efficiencies within the budget and balancing the needs of the community.”
Daniel Kostopoulos
CAO, Township of King
“I am pleased with how our Finance team and all departments found savings to support King’s residents during another difficult budget year. The approved budget represents a 4.95 per-cent increase in 2023 and maintains all the levels of service for residents while providing additional enhancements to support the community.
We will need to fully assess the impact of inflation and new legislation on Township services and ensure we are prepared for the future. This will increasingly be a challenge as we experience the impact of record-breaking inflation rates of more than six per cent with increasing costs.
The Township is facing increasing costs in the materials we buy, construction project costs, contract increases and daily operation that includes fuel and maintenance of fleet, while balancing the growth pressures of new communities that need to be supported. Having said that, King is committed to providing the best quality of service to our community while keeping taxes low.”
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Media Contact
Donna L. Kell, APR, Manager of Communications and Public Engagement
Township of King | Phone: 416-420-7492 | Email: dkell@king.ca