WELLINGTON COUNTY – Infrastructure and healthcare related items appear to be major drivers of the 2024 budget in Wellington County.
Between a possible shift in funding when it comes to doctor recruitment and major costs due to roads and bridges, the two areas are “driving forces.”
Treasurer Ken DeHart told the Grand at 101 the unusual number of garages that need repair throughout the county’s ten-year plan is a gamechanger.
Also identified as something that changed the outlook of this budget, DeHart shone a light on the fact that a series of bridges in Arthur will take a combined $18-20 million to repair in the coming years.
Another highlight in DeHart’s mind was healthcare, be it dollars relating to ambulance stations being deferred to a later year, or another driving factor; doctor recruitment dollars that look like they could be freed up.
The ambulance stations look like they will be put off until 2027, DeHart says, due to a holdup in a study to be completed by the City of Guelph.
Also noteworthy DeHart says, is a winding saga that has landed the county in a place of holding when it comes to renovating its ambulance stations.
$373 million is projected to be spent on road-related projects in the coming decade.
