2025 Town of Gravenhurst draft budget available for review

The Town of Gravenhurst’s draft 2025 budget is now available for review. 

Residents can see the draft budget and learn more about the budget process on Engage Gravenhurst.

“The draft budget reflects council’s priorities,” Mayor Heidi Lorenz said. “I am pleased to say we plan to make several investments that will support our community. We have earmarked funds for various infrastructure projects and other initiatives that will ensure Gravenhurst remains a strong and vibrant municipality now and in the future.”

Mayor Lorenz invites all residents to review the draft budget and share feedback. 

Questions and comments about the draft budget can be made through Engage Gravenhurst or shared with council and staff at the upcoming budget public meeting. 

Councillor Erin Strength, budget chair, said public input is a key part of the draft budget process. 

“Please review the draft budget and let us know what you think. Your views matter to us,” Strength said. 

Scott Lucas, chief administrative officer, said staff look forward to implementing the 2025 budget once it receives final council approval. 

“The budget is our marching orders for the year. I can tell you that staff are ready to begin rolling out the various projects tied to the budget. Our focus will be on delivering each item efficiently and effectively,” Lucas said. 

About the draft operating budget

The draft operating budget for the town is $29.5-million. 

The operating budget covers expenses related to service delivery to the community. These costs occur each year and include staff wages, insurance, and utilities, as well as other things such as maintenance costs. 

Inflationary costs have influenced the draft operating budget, but staff have kept the budget within parameters established by council. 

Increases in staffing have been contained with a focus on creating efficiencies throughout the organization. 

The operating budget includes several projects that aim to improve service delivery and quality of life in the community. Project highlights are available for review in the budget document – see the departmental budgets. 

There are various items for council consideration which could influence the draft operating budget. This includes any new directives from the strategic plan, items identified as not in the current budget, and any emerging items from public input. 

Council will have the opportunity during the budget exercise to add or remove priorities. 

The draft budget includes increasing contributions to reserves to 4.5 per cent in 2025. The increase is meant to stabilize the town’s community reinvestment reserve, which will help support future capital financing. The increase will also reduce the town’s needs for external debt financing. 

About the draft capital budget

The draft capital budget is $11.5-million. 

The capital budget supports investments the town plans to make in infrastructure such as roads, parks, and facilities. 

The draft capital budget, as well as the multi-year plan, reflects a mix of maintenance projects, replacement projects, and new initiatives. 

The bulk of the capital program focuses on the following: 

• Roads and bridges
• Stormwater drainage improvements
• Vehicle replacement
• Continued investment in parkland, docks, and other outdoor space needs.
• New technology investments
• Investments in accessibility

What does it all mean to taxpayers?

The proposed 2025 draft budget for the Town of Gravenhurst would result in a tax rate increase of 4.5 per cent. 

For property owners, the draft budget, if approved, means an increase of $26.33 per $100,000 of assessment on the town share of the Gravenhurst property tax bill. 

When the estimated District of Muskoka and school board tax rates are factored in, the property tax bill increase is $70 per $100,000 of assessment on an urban property and $55 per $100,000 of assessment on a rural property. 

Based on the draft budget, residents should expect to see a 5.4 per cent increase on their 2025 property tax bill. 

Important next steps and key dates 

Wednesday, Nov. 27 - The draft budget will officially be presented to council at 1 p.m. in the council chambers.

The public is welcome to attend the meeting or watch online. 

Starting at 2 p.m., members of the public will have the opportunity to share their thoughts about the draft budget.

Learn more about commenting and participating. 

Questions and comments about the budget can also be made through our budget page on Engage Gravenhurst or by e-mailing the town at: info@gravenhurst.ca.

Tuesday, Dec. 10 – Budget deliberations begin in the council chambers, starting at 8:30 a.m. 

The meeting will include a review of departmental operating budgets, as well as a review of the capital budget and multi-year plan. 

At the meeting, council will consider approving the budget. If required, a second meeting will take place at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11. 

The public is welcome to attend or watch online. 

How to watch meetings online

See Gravenhurst.ca.

Additional resources

Notice – 2025 Draft Operating and Capital Budgets Meeting.

Draft 2025 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Plan.

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