Town of Carman council has approved its 2025 financial plan and locked in a special service levy for waste collection that will remain in place until 2030.
At its June 3 regular meeting, council gave second and third reading to By-law 2088, adopting the financial plan following a public meeting in May. The plan includes $7.7 million in general operating expenses, an $878,728 capital budget, forecasts for the next fiscal year, and a five-year capital program.
On the revenue side, the budget projects $4.36 million from municipal taxes and grants in lieu, along with $3.35 million from other sources such as provincial grants, recreation service agreements, and transfers from reserves.
Major operating expenditures include $1.15 million for general government services, $1.81 million for transportation, $1.79 million for recreation and cultural services, and $1.42 million for fiscal services such as debt repayment. Protective services, including fire protection, are budgeted at more than $1.15 million, partly offset by contributions from surrounding municipalities.
Chief Administrative Officer Susan Stein said balancing the budget required careful management of revenues and expenses, especially in areas like transportation and recreation where costs continue to rise.
“Recreation services did see some increase in costs in 2025,” she said. “In order to offset some increased expenses, some services saw increases. We also applied for grants for some of the recreation to help with ongoing projects. We look at the budget as a whole, and for 2025 we had an average increase of 4 per cent.”
The capital budget totals $878,728 for 2025. Key projects include:
• Lift station upgrades in the northwest area ($450,000, partly funded from reserves)
• Trestle bridge work ($225,446, funded from the provincial GROW grant)
• Fire hall and training site improvements ($23,125 combined)
Public works truck purchase ($60,000)
• Recreation capital projects ($69,868)
• Cemetery improvements ($15,000)
The town will also replace equipment, including a snow blower and back lane scraper.
Stein said the lift station upgrade will allow the second phase of Parkview Estates to begin.
“There are some single-family lots, duplex lots and a multi-family lot,” she said. “This subdivision will allow for new housing and potential rental units.”
The trestle bridge project will rehabilitate the bridge at Fourth Avenue and the lodge, including pathway and lighting upgrades.
“It will be available to all residents and can be used for many years to come,” Stein said.
On the utility side, Carman’s $1.7 million water and sewer operating budget includes $790,000 for water purchases, $344,000 in debenture debt charges, and $25,000 in transfers to reserves.
The five-year capital plan through 2030 outlines priorities such as lagoon expansion, sewer relining, water main upgrades, fire hall improvements and major equipment replacement. Stein said the town uses a mix of asset management data, community requests, growth needs, costs and available funding to determine priorities.
“These could change in upcoming years depending on funding, need or deterioration of assets,” she said.
Council also passed By-law 2083, setting a special service rate for garbage, recycling and compost collection from 2025 to 2030. The levy applies only to properties receiving the service, ensuring those without collection are not charged. Commercial properties began paying for their own garbage collection in 2024, preventing them from being billed twice. The bylaw was approved following review by the Municipal Board.
Stein said the 2025 tax levy increased by an average of about four per cent, but the impact varies depending on property assessments.
“If the value of your home went up 15 per cent and the average was 10 per cent, you may see a higher increase in taxes,” she said. “If your property went up five per cent and the average was 10 per cent, then you would potentially see a decrease.”
In other business
Council gave first reading to By-law 2089, proposing new water and wastewater rates beginning July 1, 2026, with phased increases through Jan. 1, 2029, following a utility rate study by W2G Consulting.
Council approved amendments to commercial, industrial, and residential tax-sharing agreements with the RM of Dufferin to make residential agreements consistent and to exempt tax-exempt commercial properties from paying tax sharing on debentures.
The 2025 cemetery maintenance tender was awarded to Boyne Lawn and Garden.
Council also authorized a party wall agreement for a Third Avenue NW property, discussed a temporary Habitat for Humanity fundraising sign, reviewed safety concerns raised by Boyne Regional Library, noted new Miami Thompson Landfill furniture-separation rules, received updates on the trestle bridge project, approved “No Parking” signs near Tim Hortons, and addressed complaints about barking dogs and unsightly properties.
