Niverville Town Council officially approved its 2025 Financial Plan during the April 15 council meeting, following a brief public hearing at which no residents were present or submitted feedback.
The Town’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Eric King, presented the financial highlights of the 2025 budget during the hearing.
Key Budget Highlights
The budget includes a 4% property tax increase, amounting to an average increase of $86.29 for a typical Niverville residence assessed at approximately $399,800. The annual waste collection fee is also increasing by $10, bringing the total to $150 per household.
Departmental spending includes:
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Protective services: up 13% (includes fire, RCMP, and bylaw enforcement)
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Transportation: up 5.5% (roads and public works)
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Environmental health: up 8% (waste collection)
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General government services: down 1.15%
Several capital projects are planned or underway:
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Completion of detailed design work for improvements to PR 311, Crown Road, Wallace Road, and a future unnamed road
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Expansion of Open Health to include four new treatment rooms
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Modernization of the Centennial Arena and splash pad system
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Design and planning of a new fire hall and operations complex
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Renovation of the Centennial Library and Hespeler Park amenities
King emphasized that these efforts reflect a consistent approach to financial planning: “This year’s plan reflects the same level of increase we’ve seen annually. Since I’ve been here, we’ve always tried to stay within that 2% to 4% range, and that has not changed.”
Council moved first, second and third readings of the budget bylaw, which passed unanimously after a minor amendment correcting the property tax due date from September 30, which is "National Day for Truth and Reconciliation", to Monday, September 29, 2025.
Budget Strategy and Long-Term Vision
CAO Eric King spoke further on the process behind the 2025 budget and how it reflects the Town’s broader priorities following the Council meeting.
“There’s no such thing as an easy budget,” King said. “You’re always trying to do as much as humanly possible with as little money as possible. There are always things you want to do more of, but you also don’t want to shock your ratepayers.”
King explained that the financial planning process begins months in advance: “What was presented this week was first proposed in our November planning sessions. We don’t typically make changes unless something major comes up.”
He noted that while no construction will begin on the PR 311/ Krahn Road project this year, detailed design work is being fully funded in 2025 to prepare for future construction.
“We're saving now so we're not coming back to residents later needing $8 or $10 million all at once.”
The total municipal revenue, including capital and the Hanover School Division's contribution, is just under $21 million, with the school-related portion comprising about $6 million. The budget remains balanced, with expenses matching revenues.
“This reflects a 15.7% increase in both revenues and expenses compared to last year,” King said. “That’s a direct result of Niverville’s growth.”
Growth Is Paying Off
Mayor Myron Dyck echoed that sentiment.
“People ask if growth pays, and the answer is: yes, it does,” he said. “When you buy a lot and build a home, you're contributing to infrastructure like the water treatment plant. But growth, especially from multi-family developments and businesses, also funds the extras, like the new library space at the arena.”
Dyck added that Council has deliberately followed a stable tax policy since before he became mayor in 2014.
“We decided on an annual increase of 2% to 4% so people can plan. We know that every $20 matters, so we try to be predictable and responsible.”
The Town’s policy also includes setting aside reserves for larger projects to avoid unexpected tax spikes.
“You could easily spend the money five or ten times over,” Dyck said. “But we choose to save for one or two years, so that when the time comes, we don’t have to charge residents more than that steady 2% to 4% increase.”
He referred to the building of the Community Resource & Recreation Centre (CRRC) as an example.
“We announced ahead of time we were saving $5 million, and we stuck to it. COVID delayed our fundraising, but we're nearly done paying it off, maybe two to four more years.”
Looking Ahead
With the 2025 Financial Plan officially approved, the Town of Niverville remains focused on growth management, infrastructure upgrades, and maintaining a stable financial environment for residents and businesses alike.
“We’re trying to build a sustainable, growing community,” Dyck said. “And that takes planning, not just for today, but for the years ahead.”