Renfrew Treasurer Charlene Jackson lays out the timeline for Renfrew's 2025 Budget as Reeve Peter Emon (foreground) ponders council's options.
Communities across Renfrew County are locking in budgets and tax rates for 2025, so what’s been holding things up in Renfrew?
Town Treasurer Charlene Jackson had the answers at Tuesday night’s council meeting, explaining that her work on the 2025 budget has been done on old-fashioned spreadsheets while town staff continue to have difficulties implementing new financial software that was supposed to speed up the process.
Jackson also provided the council with a general timeline for the budget process, including some crucial meetings with the town’s department heads to review their budget submissions for the year and the council’s look at the first draft of the document next month.
The County of Renfrew requires all municipalities to have their budgets and tax rates confirmed by June so everyone can make use of the province’s Online Property Tax Analysis program, and Jackson wants Renfrew to be ready with time to spare.
The budget’s final passing was originally set for their April 22nd meeting, but councillors like Andrew Dick asked for a slight extension so they could provide town staff a better grasp on what issues are the most pressing according to the community.
The first draft of Renfrew’s 2025 budget will be read during a special meeting on April 1st, followed by a public meeting during the regular April 8th council session. The second reading is expected some time between April 8th and 13th, with the final passing scheduled for May 13th.
(written by Kasey Egan)