WELLINGTON COUNTY – The draft budget for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is forecasting a 3.8% increase for 2024.
According to the draft budget that will be presented at Wednesday’s board meeting, public health is looking to spend over $26 million for 2024.
In addition to salaries, wages, and benefits, the biggest increase is on IT and equipment, which is up 27.3% year-over-year.
A large portion of that is due to proposed spending on computer software subscriptions, hardware increases, and increases in phone service costs.
To help offset budget increases to cost-shared budget items, the board plans to ask for a 2.6% increase in the annual funding it receives from the municipalities it serves including Wellington County, Guelph, and Dufferin County, with the rest mostly from the province.
Board member Chris White who is also the Mayor of Guelph/Eramosa believes the 2.6 is a responsible ask of the municipalities.
David Anderson, also a board member and a Councillor with Wellington County says he doesn’t think the municipalities will have an issue paying an increase because of the services that the health unit is offering to citizens.
Wellington County would cover just over $3 million, Guelph would cover $4.4 million, and Dufferin County would contribute just over $2 million, if approved.
The 2024 draft budget was unanimously approved by the Board of Health.
You can read the report here.
