Haldimand County Council Approves 2025 Capital Budget

Haldimand County Council reviewed and approved the 2025 Tax-Supported Capital Budget and 9-year forecast on January 30, 2025. The Capital Budget outlines $41.0 million of infrastructure investments in 2025, with a total investment of $358.5 million over the next 9 years. 

The 2025 Capital Budget is heavily focused on enhancing municipal infrastructure with investments in roadway and community safety improvements, upgrades to public amenities and initiatives to address climate change and traffic management. In total, 318 capital projects are slotted for this year. 

New this year, the Capital Budget is being presented in a fully accessible, web-based Budget Book. Unlike previous years, and in response to public feedback, expenditures are now categorized by division and department for ease of navigation.

2025 Capital Budget Highlights:

• $18.1 million towards roadway infrastructure improvements like road reconstruction & resurfacing, urban paving, bridge/culvert rehabilitations and other structure-related projects;
• $3.0 million towards the purchase of two new fire tankers, two single-axle plows and two tandem-axle plows;
• $2.1 million towards corporate software/security upgrades and enhancements to core IT infrastructure;
• $1.7 million towards tree conservation and re-forestation initiatives, such as the Downtown Street Tree Revitalization Program;
• $450,000 towards the extension of the Grand Vista Trail;
• $190,000 towards the development of a Climate Change Adaptation Plan and Long-Term Financial Plan;
• $150,000 towards the planning and design of a new Village Green parkette in Cayuga; 
• $50,000 towards accessibility upgrades to municipal facilities; and
• $17,000 towards enhancing library collections county-wide.

While the annual tax levy impact has historically sat at 1%, staff recommended an increase to 1.25% for 2025 and 1.5% in the years to follow. These strategic, proactive increases will ensure Haldimand’s reserves are well-equipped to fund new programs, services and facilities down the road – taking into account inflation, population growth and the current state of the county’s physical assets.

 “The 2025 Capital Budget lays out a plan to address our community’s immediate needs and provides a road map for future spending that ensures funding is available for major capital projects when needed.
By analyzing future projects against our reserves and identifying areas where there may be shortfalls, staff have developed a budget that ensures we can keep up to pace with our infrastructure needs in coming years. Despite inflation-related financial pressures, provincial funding uncertainties and broader economic impacts, the 2025 Capital Budget enables us to meet the needs of today while preparing for a sustainable and successful future," said Haldimand County CAO Cathy Case.

 ”This budget prioritizes critical investments in our built infrastructure like roads and bridges, recreation amenities, community safety and the environment, while leaving room to advance programs and services that will keep moving our county forward. The 2025 Capital Budget lays out a plan that will keep us on track and allow us to continue pressing ahead with the many transformational initiatives that are shaping our community’s vibrant future,” noted Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley.

The total municipal levy for 2025 will be determined once the 2025 Tax-Supported Operating Budget is approved by Council. 

The 2025 Tax-Supported Operating Budget will be presented to Council on Thursday, February 27, 2025 – 9:30 a.m. at the Haldimand County Administration Building.