Minto Mayor Dave Turton says the budget process in 2025 was similar to others, given that like many local mayors, he decided against using Strong Mayor powers to explicitly control budget deliberations.
Turton says it was important to him and council to keep a sense of democracy and teamwork alongside staff to develop the budget, something they've always strived for.
"That's exactly how it worked again this year. Staff brought it to us, we had questions, we went through a very similar process as any other year. We hope to pass the budget Tuesday (December 16)," Turton shared.
Like many other local mayors, Turton says he felt the Strong Mayor powers to be unnecessary for budget processes. He says the prices for things are making budgets very challenging year over year.
"Certainly challenging. We're somewhere around four per cent (levy increase). We've got some big projects coming up this year and just to stay status quo with all the things that are around like inflation, and all the other things, it's very difficult," he pointed out.
A major project coming up will be redoing main street in Palmerston, which will be done in partnership with the county because it's a county road.
"The county is doing the asphalt, sidewalks, curbs, and gutters. The town is doing the infrastructure. We've got somewhere around $12 million from the provincial government to help with this because it has a whole lot to do with housing," Turton added.
Turton says that seems to be one surefire way to get money from the provincial government if a project can be tied to housing and building up a community.
With ongoing housing growth, there will be a focus on water and wastewater capacity.
"Looking at a new well in Harriston and in Palmerston, and when you start talking about the cost, the engineering and all the other things, five years ago it was south of $2 million now it's north of $4 million," Turton explained.
Turton says they're starting to see more housing builds in the area and the agricultural sector remains very strong. He adds one highlight from 2025 as always was the Mayor's Charity Golf Tournament, which Turton says is full long before the deadline every year, and the event results in a lot of community good being done.
"A lot of money is being put back into our community for groups, and mainly youth. Those groups are first, and a lot of local groups have benefitted," he said proudly.
Maybe the best remembered highlight was a celebration of one of the Minto communities.
"In Palmerston, the 150th was a huge success and it was all volunteers. Our volunteers are great and I know we can't say enough about them, every community has them. But we seem to excel when it comes to having volunteers in our community. It's wonderful," Turton added.
In 2028, Turton notes that it will be Harriston's turn to celebrate 150 years as a town.
