The Township of Georgian Bay if pleased to announce the 2025 Operating and Capital Budget was approved on December 9, 2024.  

Township Council is required to approve a balanced budget each fiscal year that must be finalized and approved prior to the issuance of the final property tax bills. 

The operating budget addresses the day-to-day cost of providing services to residents and businesses. The capital budget looks ahead to identify the infrastructure that we need to build and maintain.

2025 Budget Documents

2025 Approved Budget

 Approved Budget Summary
 The Township’s 2025 approved consolidated budget totals $20.8 million:
  • $14.3 million in operating expenditures
  • $  2.1 million in carry forward capital projects from 2024
  • $  4.4 million in new capital requests

Gross expenditures are greater than gross revenues by $801,204, resulting in a municipal tax increase of 8.44% over 2024.

This includes Council Directed and Re-Aligned budget items, as well as Service Enhancements.
 Operating Budget Changes

 The 2025 approved budget includes operating expenditures in the amount of $14.3M. 

Changes to the budget include:

 

Operating Budget Changes

FTE

$

Other

$

Funding

$

Net Tax

Impact

$

Net Tax

Impact

%

Budget Adjustments:          
Base Budget       361,807 3.09%
Council Directed and Re-Aligned       153,050 1.86%
Subtotal: Budget Adjustments       $514,857 4.95%
           
Service Enhancements:          
Water Quality Testing Program   75,000   75,000 0.91
IT Technician & CRM Specialist - 1.0 FTE 70,596   (30,000) 40,596 0.49
Operations Equipment Operator - 1.0 FTE 80,463     80,463 0.98
Recreation Equipment Operator - 1.0 FTE 80,463     80,463 0.98
Municipal Accommodation Tax Revenue   40,000 (80,000) (40,000) (0.49)
MacTier Arena: Roller Skating Days   20,000   20,000 0.24
MacTier: Recreation Masterplan   20,000 (20,000) - -
Library Board   55,501 (30,000) 25,501 0.31
Core Operations & Sustainable Severn Sound   4,324   4,324 0.05
Subtotal: Service Enhancements $231,522 $214,825 $(160,000) $286,347 3.49%
           
Total: 2025 Approved Operating Budget Increase       $801,204 8.44%

 
 Capital Budget Changes

 The 2025 approved capital budget request totals $6.5M:

  • $  2.1 million in carry forward capital projects from 2024
  • $  4.4 million in new capital requests

2025 Approved Annual Capital Budget
Impact on Ratepayer

For the average water detached property assessed at $453,000 the increase will be:

 

 2024 ($)2025 ($)Change ($)Change (%)
Township of Georgian Bay 1,236.38 1,340.79 104.41 8.44%
District Municipality of Muskoka 1,436.69 1,506.37 69.68 4.85%
Education 693.09 693.09 - -
Total $3,366.16 $3,540.25 $174.09 5.17%

 

Impact per $100,000 of assessment:

 

 2024 ($)2025 ($)Change ($)Change (%)
Township of Georgian Bay 272.93 295.98 23.05 8.44%
District Municipality of Muskoka 317.15 332.53 15.38 4.85%
Education 153.00 153.00 - -
Total $743.08 $781.51 $38.43 5.17%

 

The Township's budget was approved with a 8.44% tax increase over 2024. When combined with the District Municipality of Muskoka approved tax increase of 4.85% and no change to the education rate, residents can expect to see a 5.17% blended tax increase on their 2025 property tax bill.

For every tax dollar spent:

  • $0.38 is retained by the Township of Georgian Bay
  • $0.43 is submitted to the District Municipality of Muskoka
  • $0.19 is submitted for Education

 
District Municipality of Muskoka Budget
 The District Municipality of Muskoka 2025 Budget

2025 Budget Timeline

DateItemDocumentsMeeting
August 12, 2024 Council Reviewed 2025 Budget Timelines View Meeting
November 4, 2024 Draft Budget Tabled  View Meeting
November 19, 2024 Agencies, Boards & Committees Presentation  View Meeting
November 26, 2024 Budget Deliberation Meetings  View Meeting
December 9, 2024  Budget Approved View Meeting 

On the Budget

Operating Budget

An operating budget captures the expenses involved to keep the Township running on a day-to-day basis. 

The base operating budget reflects the costs that are required to maintain the existing programs and services.

The total proposed operating budget includes the base budget to maintain existing programs and services, as well as the proposed service enhancements to increase the current level of service provided by the Township.
Service Enhancements

A service enhancement is a request to improve a program or add staff to better meet community needs.

The service enhancement requests provide detailed justifications to Council from departments requesting a change in program direction or new staffing. 
Capital Budget

The capital budget is used to request funding for new assets, major repairs and replacement of existing assets. 

Requests for capital projects to be completed in 2025 will have a justification sheet to ensure clarity and understanding of the capital needs.

 View past Township of Georgian Bay budgets:

Past Budgets

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