Fort Erie councillors approve 2025 budget with 4.95 per cent increase

Close wasn’t quite close enough for Fort Erie councillors.

While staff’s proposed 2025 budget nearly hit the target set out, an amendment by Mayor Wayne Redekop got the budget down to the 4.95 per cent increase they were seeking.

“I’m good with everything that’s being proposed by staff,” he said.

“My only issue is Part 8, which I’m pretty firm in wanting the increase to be below 5 per cent.”

Part 8 refers to the general levy approval that was proposed to be just shy of $37 million, including a base budget of $36.8 million and supplementary budget of nearly $127,700. It marked a 5.33 per cent increase to the median household, after assessment growth was factored in.

The increase only represents the town portion of a property bill, which also includes portions for the Niagara Region and education.

Requests to the town for updated figures following the meeting remained unanswered as of Monday evening. However, under the 5.33 per cent increase staff proposed, the median household in Fort Erie would be paying about $20 a month more in their overall property tax bill, with about $6.50 of that figure going to town hall.

With the amendment from Redekop, those numbers will decrease.

Eight requests were made through the supplementary budget that staff requested. Staff were able to find ways to fund much of the supplemental requests through reserves and other means to keep the levy impact at a minimum. However, the $127,700 increase did represent a small, 0.37 per cent increase on the levy.

The requests included new staffing supports: a supervisor of construction projects, parks technician in arboriculture, and permit application technician.

While councillors approved these positions, it did spark a discussion about staffing levels.

“What happens if construction goes down and do we have any type of plan where we would review periodically if all the employees are needed?” Redekop asked, in reference to the proposed supervisor position, which was being requested to deal with the uptick in construction in recent years.

CAO Chris McQueen said staffing levels are constantly reviewed, including whenever a vacancy arrives.

“If positions aren’t required at some point in the future we are going to have to make a tough decision to rationalize and remove them from the complement,” he said.

“I think the residents expect that rigorous review of manpower,” the mayor replied. 

Others include projects like the closure of Sherkston Road from Point Abino Road North to Michener Road, a facility condition study update, town hall landscaping improvements, a comprehensive zoning bylaw review, and community planning and permitting system work through a consultant.

Overall, councillors appeared quite happy with the budget staff put forward. Redekop pointed out the increase includes another 2.07 per cent that’s going directly to capital infrastructure. He said it’s an important reminder that the municipality is taking infrastructure needs seriously and thinking about the future.

“Bit by bit we’re getting there and we’re looking at the long term,” he said.

“Staff has really worked diligently over the whole year to get to where we are today,” said Councillor George McDermott.

“This is probably one of the best budgets I’ve seen.”

Next year could be a different story, however, as projections for next year’s base increase is 8.5 per cent.

“If 8.5 per cent is what you’re projecting for 2026, we need to start working on the 2026 budget,” Redekop said.

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