Budget and Finances
Budget and Business Plan
The Town of Saugeen Shores coordinates the municipal budget and regular monitoring of revenue and expenditures. We are committed to financial accountability for our citizens and the general public. Access our annual budget reports to learn more.Visit our Public Meetings Calendar to find out when all-day budget meetings happen each year.
2025 Municipal 10-Year Business Plan: Join the Conversation
The proposed 2025 10-Year Business Plan & Budget is available for review HERE. In it, you will see:
- An overview of the plan, including the 10-Year Asset Management Plan
- Proposed Major Initiatives, Division Highlights and Capital Highlights for each Department
- Associated financial statements and projections
Council will hear the preliminary plans on November 20 and November 27, 2024 starting at 9:00am.
What is a Business Plan and a Budget? |
| It is the most important document that any government adopts. The plan is a blueprint that sets out anticipated spending for not only the upcoming budget year, but subsequent years as well. A critical component of this plan is determining where the money will come from. All the municipality’s income is invested in programs and services that make Saugeen Shores a very desirable place to live and work. The Plan sets out the services that the municipality will provide and defines any improvements or expenses related to buildings or resources. The approved Business Plan for the 2025 calendar year becomes the 2025 Operating and Capital budgets. |
What is an Operating Budget? |
| The operating budget is the plan for the day-to-day operations of the Town including salaries, legal and insurance costs, and winter control. These expenses are required annually to run the municipality. Every Town program and service is funded through the operating budget, which is designed to ensure dependable delivery of a broad array of programs and services that residents rely on every day. Your municipal government is responsible for providing fire and police services, roads, clean water, parks, arenas, and much more. Many of these services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These services and programs are largely funded by tax dollars and user fees which include charges for recreation programs, water, and wastewater services. |
What is a Capital Budget? |
| The capital budget is the annual plan for the purchase and financing of the Town’s capital assets. Capital assets are projects and expenses where the benefits can be seen over the course of many years, such as roads, bridges, land, buildings, machinery, and equipment. Some examples of capital projects include the Aquatic & Wellness Centre, the Water Pollution Control Plant Upgrade, the Water Treatment Plant Expansion, and Shoreline Protection. Typically the bulk of the capital spending goes to maintaining and fixing existing infrastructure and is funded through tax dollars and grants included as part of the 10-year plan. Occasionally, projects such as the Aquatic & Wellness Centre expand services for the community and are funded through charges on the new developments being built, as well as reserves and debt financing. |
Balancing the Budget |
| Each year, municipalities face the challenge of balancing the budget, as required by provincial legislation. A municipality can take on debt to pay for large capital acquisitions, however it must ensure that there is enough money to fund day-to-day operations. In order to balance the budget, the Town does a careful analysis of the service levels required to meet the community's expectations of realistic taxation and user fee levels. Reserves are used to smooth out anticipated spending ebbs and flows between years. The ten-year Business Plan provides a further level of sophistication that provides a long-term perspective on cashflows and reserve balances. |
2025 Municipal Budget Feedback
We want to hear from you! Passing the Business Plan is one of Council's most important decisions. Your input will help Council identify key investments and priorities, and balance them with tax and fee changes.
Tell us your thoughts on what the Town should do over the coming decade by taking a few minutes to fill out this feedback form. Please note this survey is limited to Saugeen Shores residents and/or property owners.
The information in this survey is collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will only be used for initial input into the first draft of the 2025 Municipal Budget. Results are not scientific.
Deadline to submit feedback form is Sunday, November 17, 2024 @ 11:59 p.m. Any questions arising from the surveys will be posted and answered for citizen review. Check this space for updates.
Past Financial Statements and Returns
Expand the sections below to access financial statements and information returns.