Budget and Finance

Finance

In the Accounting Services department we coordinate the preparation and presentation of the annual operating and capital budgets, forecasts and develops recommendations to Council for tax ratio and tax rates, provides reporting on budget versus actuals and performs financial analysis related to various Counties´ projects. We are also responsible for the coordination of the year end audit, financial statement preparation and the annual Financial Information Return (FIR).

The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville responsibly manages and invests the tax dollars you pay to meet the various needs of the people living within the Counties. These needs include items such as maintaining highways and bridges, etc. or providing services such as social assistance and childcare education, etc.

We are committed to striking a healthy balance between offering valued services and programs to residents, making strategic investments in community priorities, and keeping property taxes at a competitive rate.

Each year, Counties council approves an annual budget, made up of two parts:

• Operating budget - funded primarily through property taxes and provincial and federal grants and subsidies; used to operate Counties facilities and provide municipal services and programs to residents.

• Capital budget - funded through property taxes, reserves and reserve funds, debt and grants; used to either build or rehabilitate assets (roads, buildings, etc.) that will last for more than one year.

Within the Counties of Leeds and Grenville the responsibility of setting tax policy has been done in a cooperative approach between the ten local municipal treasurers and Counties staff. Counties council, in turn, has been responsive to the recommendations made and has been proactive in the vision of creating a competitive economic environment in Leeds and Grenville for all property classes.

Once the Counties levy requirements have been determined for the current year, tax rates are calculated for each of the property tax classes (such as residential, industrial, commercial, etc.).

In addition to the Counties establishing tax rates for Counties purposes, the Province establishes school board tax rates and each of the local municipalities in Leeds and Grenville establish tax rates for their own purpose.

The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville is currently working on updating the Ten Year Financial Plan and will be posted upon approval.

Counties of Leeds and Grenville Asset Management Plan

Financial Statements

The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville is committed to keeping Counties council and the community well informed of our financial position and financial activity. Each year our financial statements are audited by an external independent accounting firm. Recent copies of our Annual Financial Reports are provided and past reports can be requested. 

The Financial Statements contains the following:

• Non-consolidated Financial Statements;
• Trust fund financial statements (for Maple View Lodge)

Council Remuneration and Expenses

Councilor's allowance amounts are based on the income of each councilor as referenced by Canada Customs and Revenue Agency and determined by by-law.  Expenses also include all travel related expenses incurred by members of council on Counties business.

Section 284(1) of the Municipal Act, R.S.O 2001, requires the treasurer of every municipality to prepare and submit to council by March 31 each year, an itemized statement of the remunerations and expenses paid to each member of council in respect of his or her services as a member of council in the preceding year.

Grant Request for Financial Assistance

The Grant Assistance Program is designed to act as a catalyst to assist the community in starting new ventures or a one-time event on the basis of the following criteria:

• Assisting worthwhile organizations in creating new programs or projects, which provide a benefit or service to the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville by way of promoting civic, cultural, and sports organizations or events.
• Promoting an event of municipal, provincial or national significance, which could be expected to bring economic and/or public relations benefits to the County.
• An urgent or pressing event or natural disaster, i.e. fire, flood, earthquake, etc.