Woolwich Township passes 2025 Budget with a focus on core services and operational efficiencies

Woolwich, ON – The Township of Woolwich passed the 2025 Budget yesterday, ensuring essential services that the growing community needs are maintained while keeping taxes and rates affordable for residents. With sufficient resources allocated to critical areas, Woolwich Township will continue to operate efficiently despite rising costs and increasing demands while keeping our tax rates among the lowest of our comparators.

“Woolwich Township is one of the fastest growing communities in Waterloo Region,” said Woolwich Mayor Sandy Shantz. “In passing the 2025 Budget, we are reinforcing our commitment to affordability for our current residents, while also anticipating increased service demands from a growing population.”

The budget reflects the Township's proactive approach to addressing the needs of a growing and dynamic community, ensuring investments in infrastructure, public safety, and essential services are prioritized. This year’s budget includes strategic adjustments to operational budgets across a variety of services to counteract inflationary pressures, while still maintaining the quality of services. The approved budget increase amounts to an additional $9.66 per month on the average Township property tax bill.

“Our goal is to continue providing essential services for our community. During the budgeting and planning process, Township staff focused on balancing immediate needs with long-term planning in order to maintain our fiscal responsibility,” noted Woolwich’s Chief Administrative Officer David Brenneman. “This approach ensures that we meet the current demands of our residents while planning for the future of our Township.”

Key Highlights of the 2025 Budget include:

• Investments in road repairs ($3.1 million), bridges ($2.4 million), and municipal facility improvements ($525,000) to address aging infrastructure
• Managing rapid growth in Breslau and Elmira, addressing housing needs, and expanding economic development opportunities.
• Uninterrupted delivery of essential services, such as water supply and snow removal
• Additional resources for volunteer firefighters, including training support and modern, safe equipment
• Initiatives to attract businesses, support local enterprises and create jobs within the township
• Investments in financial and HR software to modernize our processes and position the township to respond to future needs as we grow.
• Build back our reserve funds so we are ready to capitalize on grant opportunities when they arise
• A strategy to ensure the financial sustainability of the wastewater utility budgets

“The 2025 Budget is a reflection of our responsibility to deliver value to our residents,” added Mayor Shantz. “It ensures that as Woolwich grows, we can meet the needs of today while creating a foundation for a prosperous and sustainable future.”

For more information on the 2025 Budget, please visit the Budget & Financials page.

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