CENTRE WELLINGTON – The results of the public engagement survey regarding the 2024 budget in Centre Wellington have been released and will be before council on Tuesday.
Several metrics were used to gauge the opinions of residents including questions about tax methods.
A chart in the report says 53 voters, or over 25 per cent of those surveyed would prefer an increase in user fees for programs used by residents as a taxation method.
Nearly 90 per cent of respondents pay residential taxes. 4.3 per cent of those surveyed pay either farm or other types of taxes.
When asked which township tax supported area needs additional resources, the most popular answer, with a total of 95 residents, was growth management.
The least popular answer was tourism, with just one vote tallied.
That question, one of five included in the survey, had 209 responses.
The report also revealed in 2023, the average residential property in Centre Wellington assessed at just over $384,000 paid $4,468 in property taxes, which includes Wellington County, school board, and township charges.
Of the total tax collected, the township kept $1,339 or 30 per cent.
Only 8.1 per cent of those surveyed deemed this “excellent.”
14.4 per cent voted “poor” and around 35 per cent said it was a fair number.
This and other data will be in front of council at the meeting taking place at the Grandway Events Centre at 4 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.
45.5 per cent of respondents were based in Fergus.
The results will be received by information by township staff as they work through the budget process.
