The 2025 Niagara Regional Budget has been approved, and includes a 9.6% tax levy.
Budget Chair Wayne Redekop, who is also the Mayor of Fort Erie, says the reality is – prices are going up across the board.
Redekop says a big factor is infrastructure for the region, both above ground on roads as well as below ground working with water.
The 2025 budget factors in $100-million for infrastructure upgrades. Some other key infrastructure investments in this year’s budget include $13-million for the annual roads resurfacing program, $10 million for rehabilitation of JR Stork Bridge in St. Catharines and $29 million for improvements on Regional Road 98 in Niagara Falls.
The budget also sees some core services getting a slice of the pie, with $1.8-million allocated for 21 new staff with Social Assistance, $1.3-million for a new shelter to be build in South Niagara Falls, and $700,000 for Niagara Region Housing to stabilize housing stock. $5.4 million has been set aside for development grants for major industrial investments, while another $1.5-million will support additional ambulance services throughout Niagara.
Niagara Regional Police Services, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, Niagara Regional Housing, and Court Services will see a 5.13% budget increase.
(Written by: Matt Latour)
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