Several new capital projects are included in the 2024 Plympton-Wyoming Budget.
Town council set a capital budget of just over $9.3 million last Thursday, which includes water system repairs and improvements, the final phase of Plympton Street and Front Street West reconstruction, and improvements to the Camlachie Fire Hall.
Combined with an operating budget of $17.59 million, the nearly $27 million document represents a tax increase of four per cent, before the County of Lambton and education board levies are set, or about $27.58 for every $100,000 of residential assessment.
"I don't think the four per cent is outrageous," said Councillor Mike Vasey. "Like I said, I think the budget came in extremely reasonable right off the bat."
Improvements at Plumb, Lakeshore, and Centennial parks are included, as well as ongoing improvements to roadside drainage, road resurfacing, sidewalks, and trails.
The budget also includes a $9,838 increase in OPP policing costs and $300,000 transferred from the Roads Work in Process (WIP) Reserve to finance completion of 2023 capital projects.
"I want to thank all of the staff for the work they did in preparing and presenting that," said Mayor Gary Atkinson. "It takes a lot of work and we certainly do appreciate it very much. Thank you to council for your honest and frank discussions. I think we worked well to put this together and I thank each and every one of you for your positive input."
During its meeting, council also approved a 3.6 per cent increase to water rates and a 4.4 per cent increase to the sewer rates for 2024.
Budget deliberations for the County of Lambton are scheduled for March 6.