In a short meeting last Thursday evening, Town of Morris council presented their 2025 financial plan with an expected budget of $4.7 million, a decrease of eight per cent from last year.
Mayor Scott Crick spoke to the changes in the tax assessments that result in the municipal mill rate decreasing 12.5 per cent to 23.03 mills.
“Reassessments might affect taxpayers who end up paying more in school tax,” he said. Total assessment increase is 12.56 per cent with residential and commercial sharing the bulk of the portioned assessment at 66.4 per cent and 30.8 per cent, respectively.
Proposed expenditures for 2025 remain similar overall to last year.
“The largest increase is seen in recreation and culture, an increase of 21 per cent to $1.2 million,” shared Coun. Mel Baxter. “This increase is to keep current residents and entice the new.”
One-quarter of budget monies are allotted to recreation and culture. Meanwhile, fiscal services and capital purchases funded by reserves fall significantly following the artificial jump last year due to the new child care facility.
The majority of $4.8 million in proposed revenue comes from the tax levy at 62 per cent. Tax sharing grants and transfer from reserves also contribute to balancing the budget for the Town.
Reserve money transferred will be used to fund zoning and economic development, general operation, the resurfacing of Poplar Street, and contributions to the Pembina Valley Water Co-op Servicing Agreement, which is an ongoing, 10-year commitment.
Total outstanding debt has decreased by $159,824 to $1.7M as of Jan. 1.
“The Multiplex debt will be finished in 2026,” noted Baxter. “Next year $130,000 will be ‘saved’ from that project.”
Major projects planned for 2025 include the purchase of several pieces of public works equipment, a backup generator for the fire hall, revitalization of Poplar St., and development of a new municipal website.
Baxter shared the numerous grants and contributions amounting to $118,000 gifted by the Town to various entities in Morris, including the Valley Ag Society, Valley Regional Library, Riverview Gold & Country Club, and Morris School scholarships and the robotics team, to name a few.
Not included in the 2025 budget are monies for the revitalization of Main St. following a survey that went out to the public last year.
“The Economic Development Committee continues to meet with businesses along Main Street to collect thoughts, concerns, and questions,” said Coun. Chris Hamblin. “Everything takes time, and we are looking for the best way on how to move forward.”
