Fort Erie finished 2024 with a $1.1M surplus
June 12, 2025 at 3:04 AM
The municipality ended last year in the black, thanks largely to an insurance board refund and savings in wages and benefits.
A report to council at the June 9 council-in-committee meeting revealed a $1.1 million general levy surplus. Most of that came from savings “in wages and benefits primarily as a result of gapping in roles and a large refund from WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board),” the report said.
Favourable results for interest income, penalties and interest on taxes, as well as user fees also contributed to the surplus. Development charge exemptions that were funded by the general levy offset some of those results.
The surplus money will be primarily used in three areas.
To help with infrastructure gaps identified in the 2024 asset management plan, $400,000 will go to the road refurbishing reserve and $300,000 will go to the storm refurbishing reserve.
The remaining $435,000 will go to the general levy rate stabilization reserve.
Surpluses were also identified for water ($400,000) and wastewater ($500,000). That money will go into respective rate stabilization reserves.
On the less positive side, the report noted a nearly $42,000 deficit for the Ridgeway BIA, “primarily a result of event costs exceeding budget, without a surplus in event-related revenues.”
It also said donations, fundraising and sponsorships did not meet the $21,000 the organization had budgeted. With just over $38,000 in its reserve fund, the town provided a small, unplanned loan of $3,600 to cover the balance of the deficit.
“The 2024 reserve deficit will be applied to the BIA’s 2025 operating budget, reducing budgeted funds available for 2025,” the report said.
The auditor found issues with some of the reporting done through the Ridgeway Farmers Market, mainly that some of the revenues and expenses weren’t substantiated with receipts and invoices.
The report also noted revenues were received in cash and then that cash was used to pay for expenses.
“The auditor has recommended any revenues received by the BIA in the future be supported by receipts or invoices issued to the market vendors and then the cash or cheque be deposited to the bank or handed over to the town for deposit,” the report said.
“Any related expenses should be paid by the town by way of cheque when the supporting invoices for the expenses are provided to the town.”
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About The Author
Luke Edwards
Luke Edwards is a longtime Niagara community journalist who has covered a variety of beats, including business, agriculture, the wine industry and politics. When not writing, there's a good chance he can be found at a baseball diamond or curling rink.
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