Budget and Finance

On this page

1. Financial Reports
2. Asset Management Plan
3. Municipal User Fees
4. Municipal Budget

Financial Reports

Every year, an external independent accounting firm audits the Township of Champlain's financial statements and we publish those Annual Financial Statements.  These statements include Audited Financial Statements, as required by the Ontario Municipal Act.  These statements help the Municipality demonstrate responsible management of financial resources through open, transparent, accountable and innovate leadership in local governance. 

The Financial Information Return (FIR) is the main data collection tool used by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to collect financial and statistical information on Municipalities. The FIR is a standard document comprised of a number of Schedules which are updated each year to comply with current legislation and reporting requirements. All Financial Information Return can be found on the Ministry of Municipal Affaires and Housing website.

Asset Management Plan

The Asset Management Plan helps the Township make the best possible decisions regarding the construction, operation, maintenance, renewal, replacement, expansion and disposal of infrastructure assets while minimizing risk and cost to taxpayers and maximizing service delivery.

Municipal User Fees

Municipal fees and charges are a charge to the user of a specific municipal service, activity or product, or for the use of municipal property.

The purpose of a User Fees and Charges is to recover costs incurred as a result of services provided by the municipality. Most services are as a result of an individual or group needs and not beneficial to the community as a whole. Those services are calculated to recovery costs to provide the services. During the annual budget process, these user fees and charges are reviewed and amended accordingly, to ensure that cost recovery is reviewed and achieved on an economy of scale. Contact the finance department to get the municipal user fees document.

Budget

At a Special Council meeting on January 25, The Township of Champlain’s Council was presented with the 2024 municipal budget of $22.5 million with an operating budget of $14,808,195 and capital projects of $7,676,000.

For 2024, the property tax bill is increased by 4.39%. For a typical residential property with an assessment of $229,073, this represents an increase of $127.49:

• $84.37 for the municipal portion (5.5%)
• $43.77 for the United Counties’ portion (4.25%)
• No Increase in school taxes

With inflation and the rise of costs, an increase in taxes was to be expected: We are very pleased with the work our administration team has done to ensure we are investing where it counts. Taxes are increasing because it is the necessary investment we collectively make for the betterment of our society. Just as a building requires maintenance to ensure its stability and functionality, our community requires financial support to sustain vital services and infrastructure. This increase reflects our commitment to meeting evolving needs, fostering growth, and ensuring a brighter future for all. expressed Mayor Normand Riopel.

Highlights of the 2024 Budget

• Grants to be distributed to community organizations ($49,950).
• Capital grants from the federal, provincial, and regional governments of $2,343,649.
• Ongoing condition assessment of all municipal infrastructures as required by the Asset Management Planning for Municipal Infrastructure Regulation (O. Reg. 588/2017) which requires an approved asset management plan that identifies the current level of service of all municipal infrastructure and the costs required to maintain those levels of service by July 2024 ($83,000).

Roads and Public Works

• Final works to be completed for the King Street rehabilitation in L’Orignal (2024 for $600,000. The maximum funding from the approved grant of $2,243,038 was attained in 2023. The completion of the project will be financed by UCPR’s portion and by debt.
• Rehabilitation of the L’Orignal Standpipe ($1.8M project, $1.3M funded by grants).
• Rehabilitation of Alohah subdivision, as well as Pattee Road, Eldemer, and Deslauriers Streets (projects funded by grants for a total amount of $704,000).

Fire Department

• Pumper trucks for both fire stations ($675,000 each).
• Extrication equipment for Vankleek Hill fire station ($75,000).

Library

Conditional on the acceptance of the projects for grant funding:

• Refacing of the brick wall on the front of the building ($75,000).
• Roof rebuild ($25,000).

Museum

• Replacement of front windows, doors, eavestroughs, drainage, and foundation work ($45,000, $15,000 funded by a grant). 

Municipal Drain

• The Township share of the Mill Creek Municipal drain work ($50,000).

Parks and Recreation

• Recreation Master Plan ($50,000).
• Replace sand with mulch and install plastic borders at Desjardins Park ($13,000).
• Addition of little library stands in Vankleek Hill, L’Orignal, and Miner Park ($3,000).
• New picnic tables at Sacha’s Park ($1,600).
• New beach buoys ($2,000).
• Sand for L’Orignal Beach ($3,000).
• New blue barrels and repair dock at boat launch ($1,200).
• Add gravel in L’Orignal Park parking lot ($5,000).
• Repair L’Orignal Park dugout benches and fencing at the backstop and add steel angles to stabilize the fence ($6,000).
• Remove shed at L’Orignal Park and add an electrical panel with plug for events which was not done in 2023 ($4,500).
• Add new cedar hedge trees (or large rocks) between the L’Orignal parking lot and adjacent property ($2,000).
• Patch cracks on the tennis court ($2,500).
• Accessible washroom and door opener on the second floor of Vankleek Hill Community Centre room ($28,000).

Your local government's budget allocates resources to support a wide range of essential services and programs across various sectors, including infrastructure maintenance like roads, protection services through the police department, By-law Department, Building Department, fire protection services, waste management including garbage collection, communication infrastructure, community development initiatives, recreational facilities and programs, snow removal services, and urban planning efforts.