Budget and Finance

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The Treasury Department is responsible for providing financial services to all municipal departments including coordinating the budgeting process and monthly monitoring of revenue and expenditure accounts.

The following is a list of specific responsibilities:

Ensure that all Revenues and expenditures are collected, allocated, and recorded in accordance with all By-laws, regulations and budgets, as established by Council, and the Provincial and Federal Governments
Property Tax Payments and collecting & maintaining property tax records
Water and Sewer Billing (collection and maintenance of accounts)
Accounts receivable billing and collection
Processing of Accounts payable invoicing
Management of the municipal benefit program
Computer maintenance and up-grading and network support

Budget

2020 Budget Information

Taxpayers in Georgian Bluffs will see a residential tax rate decrease of 1.7% in 2020. For a home assessed at $300,000, this is a savings of $55.29.

The total budget for 2020 includes expenditures of approximately $16,000,000, allocation of expenditures by service shown below, this including $11,250,000 in operating expenses and capital expenditures of $4,750,000. To view the complete agenda and agenda package visit:

Budget 2020

The 2020 Budget was passed on June 17, 2020.

View or Download By-law 2020-061 - Adoption of 2020 Tax Rates

View or Download By-law 2020-060 - Adopt 2020 Budget

View or Download the 2020 Public Budget Presentation

View or Download Report FIN2020-08 - Operating and Capital Budget

Historical Budget Documents

To review budget documents prior to 2020, contact the Treasury department at 519-376-2729 or at office@georgianbluffs.ca and an accessible copy will be provided to you.

Capital Asset Management

The Township of Georgian Bluffs is in compliance with the asset management requirements as established under Ontario Regulation 588/17: Asset Management Planning for Municipal Infrastructure.

With the assistance of Public Sector Digest, the Township completed their Capital Asset Management Plan in December of 2016.

In addition to creation of the Capital Asset Management Plan, the Township passed By-Law 2019-067, a by-law to adopt policy FIN-02-2019 - Asset Management Policy for the Township of Georgian Bluffs.

Fees and Services

View the 2019 Fees and Services By-Law for Georgian Bluffs.

View the 2020 Fees and Charges By-law for Georgian Bluffs.

View the 2020 Fees and Charges By-law for Grey Sauble Conservation Authority

Financial Statements

Complete copies of the Financial Reports are available at the Municipal Office and are available to any resident who wishes to view or analyze the financial operation of the municipalities in great detail. Reports may also be downloaded in the attachments below.

The Financial Information Return (FIR) is the main data collection tool used by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to collect financial and statistical information on Municipalities. The FIR is a standard document comprised of a number of Schedules which are updated each year to comply with current legislation and reporting requirements. You can compare the FIR for all Ontario Municipalities at Service Ontario's Financial Information Return page.

Audited Financial Statements

2018 Financial Statement

For historic Financial Statements, please contact the office.

Taxes

Starting with the 2019 Interim Taxes Bill the Township of Georgian Bluffs will be offering property owners the ability to receive an electronic version of their tax bill instead of a paper copy.

Current Value Assessment

Property Assessment is done by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). For information or details about the assessment of your property, please contact MPAC 1-866-296-6722 or visit their website at www.mpac.ca

Rebate

Vacant Commercial and Industrial Building Tax Rebate Application for the vacancy rebate must be submitted each year. The deadline to submit an application for the year is February 28th of the following year. The application form Application For Commercial or Industrial Vacant Unit Rebate can be downloaded or is available at the municipal office.

Current and Prior Year Tax Rates

To view the 2020 Tax Rates By-law, click here.

To review tax rates prior to 2020, contact the Treasury department at 519-376-2729 or at office@georgianbluffs.ca and an accessible copy will be provided to you.

Tax Payments

Please use the payment method that is most convenient for you:

Mail

Mail your cheque(s) or post-dated cheque(s) along with your tax stubs to the following address. Please do not mail cash.

Township of Georgian Bluffs
177964 Grey Road 18
R. R. 3
Owen Sound ON N4K 5N5

Telephone / Internet Banking

If you are paying by telephone/internet, payments must be made 2 - 3 business days in advance.

In Person

Tax payments can be made at the Municipal Office between the hours of 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday to Friday. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Statutory Holiday, any payment received in the office before 9:00 am on the following regular business day will be accepted as paid by the due date.

Pre-authorized Payment

We are pleased to offer you the convenience of a Pre-authorized Payment Plan. This voluntary plan offers you an easy, time-saving way to have tax payments automatically deducted from your bank account. This payment method is free of charge.

It means eliminating the chore of writing cheques and ensuring your payment reaches us by the due date. There are no service charges or fees for enrolling in the plan. All that's required is completing and submitting the Authorization and Agreement Form for the plan, along with a void cheque.

Click here to download the Pre-Authorized Payment Form.

Or, click here to complete and submit the electronic Pre-Authorized Payment Form.

Tax account must be paid in full by November 1st of each year.

Accounts will be reviewed each year by the Treasury Department staff to determine monthly payments required. Tax billings will continue to be issued quarterly. Pre-authorized payments will be deducted monthly on either the 15th or the 30th, or on installment due dates. Pre-authorized payments will be paid by debit from your bank account. Late or missed payments will result in a 1.25% penalty, which will be added to your account. After two missed payments (or returned payments) the customer forfeits the right to continue on this budget plan and the balance owning must be paid in full.

If your bank account information changes or you want to cancel your Pre-Authorized Payment Plan, simply notify our office of the change, in writing. Please provide at least 14 days notice before the next payment date.

The Treasury Department staff will verify your application and eligibility for participation. If your require assistance or would like further information about the Pre-Authorized Payment Plan, please feel free to contact the Treasury Department at 519-376-2729.

2020 Due Dates

February 24th
April 24th
August 24th
October 24th

Tax Certificates and Zoning and Compliance Certificates

Tax Certificates can be purchased for $50.00 for each property.
Zoning and Compliance Certificates can be purchased for $75.00 for each property.

Tax Forms for Download

Please contact the office to obtain the following forms:

Address Change Form
Application for Commercial or Industrial Vacant Unit Rebate
Request for Adjustment of Assessment
Request for Consideration

Non-Resident Fee Subsidy Application Form

Click here to complete the Non-Resident Fee Subsidy Application Form.

Surplus Items for Sale

None at this time; please check back later.