Pelham's Budget 2025

December 5, 2024

Pelham, ON – Council for the Town of Pelham has approved the 2025 Capital and Operating Budgets at their December 4, 2024, meeting of Council. The budget process begins each year in the late spring and is finalized with the annual approval.

The final tax levy increase for 2025 is 4.84% after a 2.09% assessment growth. For the average residential property with an assessed value of $377,000, this would be an increase of approximately $111 per year. The draft 2025 Operating Budget had been previously presented to the Committee of the Whole (COW) on November 27, 2024.

“The Town’s strategic plan has a priority area for improved financial health, which includes financial reserves, levels of debt and impact to property taxes. The 2025 budget continues to balance the needs of the community while working to ensure rates can be managed by the taxpayers,” said Town of Pelham Director of Corporate Services and Treasurer Teresa Quinlin-Murphy.

The municipal budget outlines the priorities of the Town of Pelham, determines the level of service provided to Pelham residents and guides decisions on spending for services and infrastructure. Each year, with input from Pelham residents and businesses, Town staff provide a preliminary budget. Then the Mayor and Council make decisions about Pelham services, programs and infrastructure and approve the final budget.

The Capital Budget invests in long-term assets for the community and includes items such as new infrastructure and maintaining roads, buildings and machinery. The Operating Budget covers the day-to-day expenses needed to deliver many programs and services provided by the municipality.

The draft 2025 Water and Wastewater budgets will be presented on February 5 and will return to Council for consideration of approval on February 19, 2025.

Property owners will receive the 2025 tax bill in the spring, which includes supporting material to show the breakdown of how tax dollars are spent within Pelham.

Taxes are calculated based on the assessed value of each property, provided by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) and multiplying the assessed value of the property by the total tax rate for the class of property.

2025 Budget Open House

Town of Pelham council received several presentations from local sporting groups, residents and community organizations regarding requests for consideration in the 2025 Budget. The requests included:

• A resident request for the review and update of park equipment for the Lookout subdivision
• Special Olympics Welland/Pelham for the installation of Bocce Ball courts in Pelham
• Pelham Art Festival for financial support for the storage of art display panels
• Fenwick Pickleball Courts player requests for improvements in shade for players and potential updates to the driving area in the park
• Pelham Minor Baseball Association for support for improvements to diamonds and infrastructure to increase capacity for players
• Pelham Active Transportation Committee for the consideration of additional support for activities to promote bike-friendly designation
• Fonthill Rotary Club for consideration of enhanced bike pathways to create connected cycling routes

Notice: Public Participation for 2025 Town of Pelham Budget

All interested parties are invited to attend the Public Meeting and any person who attends the meeting may make verbal comments and presentations relating to the 2025 Town of Pelham Budget.

The meeting is to be held in person:

Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.

Town of Pelham Council Chambers - 20 Pelham Town Square, Fonthill, ON

The Public Meeting may be viewed in person in the gallery of Council Chambers or online at www.pelham.ca/live

Interested persons may express their comments at the public meeting or in writing, addressed to the municipal Clerk, in the methods below:

1.In-person participation: Pelham Town Hall, Council Chambers, 20 Pelham Town Square, Fonthill ON

2. Residents unable to attend the meeting are encouraged to provide written input by e-mail, regular post, or drop box. Submissions must be received by the Town of Pelham by Tuesday, September 24, 2024, in any of the following ways:

• By email to clerks@pelham.ca
• By regular post to 20 Pelham Town Square, P.O. Box 400, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0, c/o Town Clerk
• By placing it in an envelope in the drop box located at the lower entrance to Town Hall, adjacent to Peace Park.

Those who wish to present to Council via Zoom must pre-register by emailing clerks@pelham.ca by the end of business day, 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

For more information and updates on the 2025 Budget, visit www.pelham.ca/2025budget or call 905-980-6668

The Town of Pelham's final 2025 budget schedule is finalized.

The Council and staff of the Corporation of the Town of Pelham established the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, a guiding document for the municipal corporation. The four-year plan will guide the decision-making and the work to be done within Pelham. The plan will allow the community to measure performance each year.

The Town of Pelham's strategic plan includes a key priority area identified as "Financial Health." Financial reserves, levels of debt and property taxes collectively form the Town's financial health. Continuous improvement of these financial metrics builds the foundation for a brighter future in Pelham.

The Town of Pelham is committed to being fiscally responsible while respecting the needs and resources of taxpayers.