Every year, Strathroy-Caradoc Council prepares a budget that guides spending in local operations for that calendar year. The budget is generally divided into two parts - an operating budget and a capital budget. In 2020, the overall budget calls for spending of $64,874,606. Of that, revenue from property taxes covers $18,615,833, or about 28.7 percent of the overall total. The rest comes from user fees (36.6 percent), the federal gas tax (1.0 percent), provincial grants (6.8 percent), deferred revenue (15.6 percent), development charges (5.8 percent), and various miscellaneous revenue sources (5.5 percent).
For a detailed breakdown of overall spending in the budget, along with a detailed budget summary, see the budget presentation made to council.
The taxes individual property owners pay to help fund the Strathroy-Caradoc budget are only about half of their total property tax bills. The rest goes to Middlesex County and to the Province of Ontario to help pay education costs. For a detailed breakdown of how property taxes are used, see our tax rates page.
Operating Budget
The operating budget is made up of all the funds spent on day-to-day operations of the municipality. That includes things like police and fire service, road maintenance including winter plowing, salting, and sanding, the operation of infrastructure like sewer, water, and storm sewer service, a wide array of recreational and cultural programs, and various administrative activities such as planning and economic development. It also includes debt repayment on loans taken out in previous years to pay for various projects and purchases.
The total operating budget for 2020 is $34,050,844, or 67 percent of all spending. Of that, $16,728,533 comes from property tax revenue. That total is up by $1,686,324 (or 11.3 percent) from 2018.
Asset Management
Being consistent with past practice, the 2020 budget allocates funds for the municipality's Asset Management Program.
Since 2015, revenue from new assessment, whether from increased assessment on existing properties or assessment generated from new growth, has gone into this fund. Total annual contributions represent about two percent of all tax revenue. The 2020 contribution will be $230,000.
The Asset Management Plan looks at the long-term condition of all municipal assets and creates annual investments to cover their eventual replacement without having to resort to future sharp tax increases. The development of an asset management plan is also a requirement of the Province of Ontario to ensure eligibility for future special project grants.
Capital Budget
The capital budget includes funds to pay for new projects planned by the municipality for the year. In 2020, 73 projects have been included in the budget.
In 2020, a total of nearly $30.8 million has been set aside for capital work. Of that, $1.9 million, or 6.2 percent, will come from tax revenue, with the rest coming from deferred revenue (26.2%), water and sewer rates (16.9%), and a variety of other sources such as development charges, gas tax, reserves, and loans.
Below is a list and brief details of capital projects included in the 2020 budget. For full details on these projects, see the Capital Project Report considered by Council during its budget talks.
There are some projects that are either carried over from 2019 or are in progress. These are included in the list below. They are financed through deferred revenue, which means the funds were set aside in 2019. Unless specifically noted, there is no impact to 2020 taxes from this work.
Note: As the year progresses, there can often be changes in the capital project list from what the budget includes. These changes can result from shifts in priorities, unexpected demands that must be paid for, unexpected delays, and other changing circumstances. So the list of projects accomplished in any given year may not be exactly the same as the list originally included in the budget.
| Engineering and Public Works |
- Caradoc St. Reconstruction: Full reconstruction of Caradoc St. from the Sydenham River to south of English St.; this is a joint project with Middlesex County; estimated total cost is $9 million ($3.1 million from taxation, including a $2.6 million loan, $2.6 million from recoveries, $1.3 million from development charges, $1.6 million from from sewer and water rates, $465,000 from Ontario Community Ingrastructure Fund).
- McEvoy Road Paving Phase 1: Total cost of project is $4 million ($3.3 million in grant from Infrastructure Ontario, $536,800 from development charges, $130,000 from taxation).
- Longfield St. Reconstruction: Reconstruction, including extension of sanitary sewer services and sidewalk, total cost is $600,000 ($340,000 from user fees, $120,000 from Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund, $70,000 from recoveries, $70,000 from federal gas tax).
- Parkhouse Dr. Design and Construction: Extension of watermain, installation of sanitary sewer, and roadway construction to serve two new subdivisions planned on the north side of the street west of Church St.; total cost is $5 million ($2.3 million from development charges, $1.7 million in recoveries; $650,000 from user fees, $240,000 from taxation, and $60,000 from the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund).
- Mount Brydges Sewer Expansion Program Design:The sanitary servicing of all existing properties within the urban area of Mount Brydges will require a large financial commitment over a 15 to 20 year phased program. This design assignment will evaluate the overall needs to develop and present a detailed program or “master plan” to Council; total estimated cost is $500,000, paid from user fees.
- Design Work for Future Parkhouse Dr. Upgrades: Two future subdivision developments on Parkhouse Dr. west of County Road 81 will require improvements on Parkhouse Dr., including sanitary sewer extension and road upgrades; the design work will be followed by the actual project, likely in 2020; total estimated cost is $200,000 ($60,000 from OCIF, $140,000 from development charges)
- Queen St., Mount Brydges, Development Share: Extension of sanitary sewer and water services from Queen St. into new subdivision, along with improvements on portions of Queen St. and Lions Park Dr.; total cost is $420,000 ($210,000 from OCIF, $76,000 from recoveries, $134,000 from water rates)
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Development Charge Background Infastructure Needs: A background needs evaluations of the primary services of Roads, Drainage, Sidewalks, Fleet, Facilities, Sanitary Sewers and Watermains are required in order to support financial forecasts in a Development Charges Bylaw update coming in 2021; total cost is $75,000 paid from development charges.
- Lions Park Drive Development Share: The municipal share of upgrading the street in order to bring water and sanitary sewer service into a new subdivision on Rougham Road; total cost is $310,000 ($210,000 from the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund and $100,000 from user fees).
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Queen St. Mount Brydges, Development Share: The municipal share of upgrading Queen St. to accomodate extension of water and sanitary sewer services into the new Queen St. condo development; total cost $420,000 ($210,000 from the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund, $134,000 from user fees, and $76,000 in recoverables).
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Development Standards Update: An update of municipal development standards that were last updated in 2016; total cost is $40,000 paid from development charges.
- McKellar St. Reconstruction Phase 2 Design: Design work for Phase 2, from Dell Dr. to Carroll St., construction can be planned in 2021; total estimated cost is $40,000 ($35,00 from OCIF, $5,000 from development charges)
- Design Work for Queen St., High St. Reconstruction: Design work for full reconstruction of Queen St. from Metcalfe St. to Carroll St. and High St. from Queen St. to York Ave, goal is to have project "shovel ready" for best tendering conditions, and whenever the municipality can take best advantage of provincial and federal grants; total estimated cost is $250,000 ($170,000 from development charges, $20,000 from OCIF, $60,000 from water rates)
- Drury Lane Reconstruction Design: Design work for full reconstruction of Drury Lane from Albert St. to Saulsbury St., goal is to have project "shovel ready" for best tendering conditions, and whenever the municipality can take best advantage of provincial and federal grants; total estimated cost is $250,000 ($120,000 from taxation, $130,000 from user fees).
- York St. Sanitary Sewer Servicing Design: Design of sanitary sewer installation and road reconstruction on York St. south from High St., goal is to have project "shovel ready" for best tendering conditions, and whenever the municipality can take best advantage of provincial and federal grants, total cost is $75,000 paid from sewer rates.
- Park St. Pump Station Rehabilitation: Full rehabilitation including structural, electrical, and mechanical replacements; total estimated cost is $1.5 million, paid from sewer rates.
- Albert St. Pumping Station: New pump installation, a continuation of an ongoing project; total cost is $500,000 paid from sewer rates.
- Automated Water Meter Reading Study: Installation of water meters which can be read from a distance, which would be more efficient and less costly than the current method of manually reading water meters; total estimated cost is $3.2 million, paid through water rates.
- TSSA Orders - Water and Wastewater: A carryover of 2019 Work In Progress for the repairs to meet the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) requirements; total cost is $85,371 ($70,250 from user fees and $15,121 from deferred revenue).
- Long Range Financial Plan - Review Study for Sanitary Sewer and Water Rates: To develop a new financial plan model covering a 10-year period; total cost is $40,000 paid from user fees.
- Wastewater Facilities Operational Optimization Study: A full review of Wastewater operations, including recommendations and plans for future repairs and capital upgrades; total estimated cost is $27,182, to be paid from deferred revenue.
- Water Facilities Needs Review: A review of all water facilities for condition and functionality, including recommendations and plans for future repairs and capital upgrades; total estimated cost is $20,230 to be paid from deferred revenue.
- Tar and Chip Maintenance: Tar and chip maintenance on various roads, total cost is $600,000 to be paid from gas tax revenue.
- Sidewalk Expansion, Hull Rd. Area: Installing three new sidewalks - Hull Rd. from Locke Heights to Head St., Penny Lane (entire length), and Pannell Lane from Martin Cres. to Head St.; total cost is $60,000 to be paid through development charges.
- Sidewalk Maintenance and Infill: Total cost is $80,000, to be paid through development charges
- Bridge and Culvert Maintenance: Annual maintenance program on 48 major bridges and culverts owned by the Municipality; total cost is $100,000 ($30,000 from OCIF and $70,000 from taxation revenue)
- Gravel Pit Closure Plan Study: A closure plan for the municipally-owned pit on Oxbow Dr. near Komoka; total cost is $20,000 paid from deferred revenue.
- Railway Crossing Maintenance: The first phase of a nine-year program to maintain 18 railway crossings maintained by the municipality, two crossings per year to be done; total estimated cost is $60,000 to be paid from deferred revenue.
- Sand and Salt Storage Shed: An additional sand and salt storage shed will be placed at the public works yard on Falconbridge Dr.; total estimated cost is $250,000, to be paid from deferred revenue.
- Streetlight Upgrades: Installation of new streetlights on Adelaide Rd. and Parkhouse Dr. in Mount Brydges along areas of new sidewalks put in last year, also finishing work on Helen Dr., Riverview Dr.; total cost is $108,584, paid from deferred revenue.
- South Strathroy SWM Plan Study: Completion of a master stormwater management study to address development needs and trunk storm sewer deficiencies; total cost is $25,000, to be paid from deferred revenue.
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| Community Services (Parks, Recreation, Arenas) |
- Aquatic Park - Funbrella: Purchase of a "Funbrella" to help provide shade lost when a nearby tree came down in a 2018 storm; total estimated cost is $17,500, to be paid from deferred revenue.
- Aquatic Park - Painting of Pool Basin: Total cost of $17,000 to be paid from reserves and reserve funds.
- Gemini Sportsplex - Painting of Rink Areas: Painting of one ice pad area and associated dressing rooms; this is the second of three proposed phases; total estimated cost of this phase is $87,500, paid through taxation revenue.
- Gemini Sportsplex - Emergency Generator: Installation of natural gas-powered emergency generator; total cost is $150,000, to be spread over 2019 and 2020 at $75,000 per year, to be paid from deferred revenue and taxation revenue.
- Gemini Sportsplex - Blue and Green Rink Floor Structural Study: Total cost is $10,000, to be paid from taxation revenue.
- Gemini Sportsplex - Building Envelope Study: To explore the causes and potential solutions for condensation issues that take place during the summer; total cost is $45,000, to be paid from tax revenue.
- Gemini Sportsplex - Plate and Frame Heat Exchanger and Surge Drum Replacement: Current piece of equipment is nearing its end-of-life replacement date; total cost is $140,000, to be paid from tax revenue.
- Gemini Sportsplex - Back Roof Replacement: Work is already in progress; total cost is $49,321, to be paid from deferred revenue.
- West Middlesex Memorial Centre - Building Structural Study: A detailed structural analysis that takes into account modern building code requirements and investigates possible deficiencies with the structural steel in more detail. The study would include the steel structure, slab (not ice rink) and partitian walls, plus stairways and foundations; total cost is $5,000, taken from tax revenue.
- West Middlesex Memorial Centre - Compressor Replacement: Replacement of 46-year-old Compressor 3; total cost is $60,000, to be paid from tax revenue.
- Parks and Recreation - Soccer Field Funding: Transfer to reserves for future development or expansion of soccer facilities in Mount Brydges; total cost is $50,000, to be paid through taxation revenue
- Parks and Recreation - New Park Development: Phase 2 of the Sensory Park project, and the start of development of a new park in north Strathroy; total cost is $150,000, to be paid from deferred revenue.
- Parks and Recreation - All Wheel Park: Consultation and design phase, in progress; total cost is $17,984, to be paid from deferred revenue.
- Parks and Recreation - Tree Carving in Alexandra Park: In progress; total cost is $7,796, to be paid from deferred revenue.
- Parks and Recreation - Master Plan Update and Trails Master Plan: Update to five-year-old Recreation Master Plan, and creation of a trails master plan; total cost is $75,000, to be paid from taxation revenue.
- Property Management: HVAC unit for lower level at City Hall; total estimated cost is $100,000, to be paid from deferred revenue.
- Property Management: Horticulture Soft Scaping, introducing tree planters and other beautification measures in the downtown area; total cost is $25,000, to be paid from deferred revenue.
- Property Management: City Hall HVAC, lower level; total cost is $35,000, to be paid from deferred revenue.
- Tri-Township Arena: $20,000 set aside for project to be determined by the Tri-Township Arena Board, to be paid from tax revenue.
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| Police Service |
- Cruiser, Fleet Replacements: one marked uniform cruisers as part of its annual fleet replacement program; total cost is $60,000, to be paid from taxation revenue
- Communications System Upgrade: Dispatch consoles in the 911 emergency communications centre; total cost is $200,000, paid from taxation revenue
- Building Security Upgrade: Installation of a security card system and replacement of some office furniture; total cost is $80,000 ($50,000 from deferred revenue and $30,000 from taxation revenue).
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| Fire Service |
- Replacement of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus: Second year of a two-year project; total cost is $650,000 ($300,000 from deferred revenue and $350,000 from taxation revenue).
- Fire Department Master Plan: to evaluate and respond to the needs of a growing community while addressing the requirements of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act and the guidelines established by the Office of the Fire Marshal; total cost is $50,000, to be paid from taxation revenue.
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| Cemetery |
- Internal Road Improvements: Repairs to the road system within the Strathroy Cemetery; total cost is $26,055, to be paid from deferred revenue.
- Columbarium Landscaping: Improving walkways and overall aesthetics; total cost is $10,000, to come from deferred revenue.
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| Building and Planning |
- North Meadows Secondary Planning Area: Creation of a Secondary Plan for the North Meadows Area, which will offer more detailed land use direction than is found in the Municipal Official Plan; total cost is $23,957, paid from deferred revenue.
- Downtown Master Plan: Total cost is $39,279, paid from deferred revenue.
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| Human Resources |
- Furniture Replacement: Realignment and maximization of office space, bringing furnishings up to meet current needs; total cost is $7,500, paid through taxation revenue.
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| Information Technology |
- Laptop and Work Station Upgrades: Replacement of four laptop computers; total cost is $10,000, paid from taxation revenue.
- Document Managing and Imaging: Digitizing existing information storage, improving efficiency and creating more space, continuation of project from 2019; total cost is $100,000 ($50,000 from deferred revenue and $50,000 from taxation revenue).
- Point to Point Radio Replacements: Three high-speed links for City Hall, Strathroy Fire, and Pike Rd. Wastewater Treatment Plant ; total cost is $40,000, paid from taxation revenue.
- City Hall Keyless Entry/Security System: Upgrade to current system, which was installed in 2004; total cost is $7,500, paid from taxation revenue.
- Keyless Entry System for 911 Dispatch in Mount Brydges: For the backup 911 Centre in Mount Brydges; total cost is $10,000, paid from taxation revenue.
- City Hall Network and Phone Re-cabling: Completion of the upgrading of the cable system within the building; total cost is $25,000, paid from taxation revenue.
- City Wide Works, Corporate Maintenance and Project Management Software: Total cost is $19,800 paid from taxation revenue.
- Server Replacement for Strathroy-Caradoc Police Service: Project is slated for 2021; $75,000 to be placed in reserve, paid from taxation revenue.
- Security Systems: For Gemini Sportsplex, West Middlesex Memorial Centre, Parks building, and road buildings in Strathroy and Mount Brydges; total cost is $100,000, paid from taxation revenue.
- Tower Move: When new tower installation is complete, all emergency and municipal equipment currently at the water tower will be moved to the new location at Strathroy-Caradoc Police Service; total cost is $60,000, paid from deferred revenue
- Router Replacements: Total cost is $7,981, paid from deferred revenue.
- Network Security Smart Card: Total cost is $5,000, paid from deferred revenue
- ID Badges: Identification badges for all Municipal staff; total cost is $2,500, paid from deferred revenue.
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