Guelph’s mayor is trying to use strong mayors powers to limit the budgets of shared services with the County of Wellington, including the Social Services budget.
The tax levy increase in Guelph was 9.8 per cent in 2024 and staff were directed to limit 2025’s increase to four per cent.
Chair of the Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee, David Anderson told Wellington County Council Thursday, they received a letter directing them to limit the 2025 budget increase to $1.4 million.
Anderson says it’s unlikely Mayor Cam Guthrie will be able to force them to cap the budget.
“We as a service provider are basically given this title by the Minister of Municipal Affairs, to manage social services for the City of Guelph and the County of Wellington,” explained Anderson. “So under those agreements from the Minister of Municipal Affairs, the strong mayors directive doesn’t override what we are supposed to do as a service provider.”
Anderson anticipates more discussion on the issue before 2025’s budget is submitted.
“[Mayor Guthrie] is putting a feeler out that this is what he wants to achieve. He has given it to his staff to say ‘This what I want you to find for me,'” said Anderson. “How he goes about that? He might be able to do that more internally in other angles.”
The City of Guelph is also requesting the 2025 budget for the Joint Social Services Committee be submitted by January for review.