Budget
The municipal budget is elaborated in conjunction with the Township’s Strategic Plan, Asset Management Plan, and various master plans, reflecting the Township’s and the Council’s strategic priorities. It dictates how programs, services and infrastructures are funded, while also ensuring we are properly investing for the future.
Section 284.16 of the Municipal Act, 2001, assigns the powers and duties of proposing and adopting a municipal budget to the head of council. The head of council must propose and adopt the budget before February 1st of each year. If the budget is not approved before this date, the council shall prepare and adopt the budget.
Financial Reports
Every year, an external independent accounting firm audits the Township of Champlain's financial statements. These statements include Audited Financial Statements and are made available to the residents at no cost as required by the Ontario Municipal Act Section 295 (2). The financial statements demonstrate responsible management of financial resources through open, transparent, accountable and innovative 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 several Schedules, which are updated each year to comply with current legislation and reporting requirements. All Financial Information Returns can be found on the Ministry of Municipal Affairs 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.
The Township of Champlain’s infrastructure assets are key resources used to provide services to the public. All of these services contribute to the local economy and improve the residents’ quality of life. These include:
- The provision of a safe and efficient road network;
- Safe drinking water;
- Environmentally sound wastewater treatment;
- Effective waste collection and processing;
- Efficient and safe fire and rescue;
- Improved facility management.
Municipal User Fees
Municipal user fees are charges to the user of a specific municipal service, activity or product, or for the use of municipal property.
The purpose of the User Fees is to recover costs incurred as a result of services provided by the municipality. Most services are provided to benefit an individual or a group and not for the whole community. The fees for those services are calculated to recover the costs of providing the services. During the annual budget process, these user fees are reviewed and amended accordingly. Contact the finance department to get the municipal user fees document.