It took time, but Renfrew’s 2025 municipal budget has crossed the finish line.
Council gave their final approval for the budget by a recorded 5-2 vote on Tuesday night, alongside a 10% increase to the annual tax levy that town staff says will see the 2025 tax bill for the average home assessed at $171,000 increase by $212.02, or around $17.67 per month.
A large chunk of the levy increases came from ongoing financial pressures and the need for sustainable long-term planning, such as just under $1.4 million in debt obligations like the Ma-te-Way Expansion project.
The decision did come with a stern rejection from Councillor Andrew Dick, who felt that not taking the opportunity to lower the tax burden as much as possible this year could bring some residents to the brink of affordability and leave newcomers looking elsewhere.
Councillor Jason Legris agreed that the goal was to get the levy as low as possible but noted that he was proud of the work staff and council put into getting it to 10% without gutting items that people living in Renfrew have come to expect.
Kyle Cybulski, who played a major part in leading fellow councillors through line-by-line budget discussions inside council chambers, warned the rest of the table that the work is just getting underway as Renfrew can’t expect to build and grow if they continue to post notable tax increases each year.
Residents are encouraged to visit the town’s website to view the full 2025 budget and detailed property tax impact schedules.
(written by Kasey Egan)