Scugog planning for normal 2021 municipal budget year

DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard

SCUGOG: Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Township of Scugog is planning their municipal budget, with the expectation 2021 will be a normal year.

In a presentation to council, on Monday, November 9th, CAO Ken Nix explained this is the strategy most municipalities are using.

“How do we treat the pandemic? Municipalities across Ontario are taking different tracks, but the majority are trying to treat 2021 as if it’s a normal year for budget purposes. They are doing that because there are so many unknowns, and it’s difficult to plan long term when you are focused on the short term.”

Mr. Nix said the hope is the financial effects from COVID-19 are “shorter term” heading into 2021.

However, he also cautioned councillors, if the pandemic effects go past 2021 into future years, the township will have to “adjust future budget expectations.”

Scugog councillors have asked municipal staff to come back with options for a five percent township budget increase target for 2021.

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