Parry Sound Unveils 2025 Operating and Capital Budgets: Growth, Grants, and Modest Tax Impact

March 25, 2025 

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Parry Sound, ON – Following a Special March 25, 2025, Council meeting, Council unanimously approved the Town’s 2025 Operating and Capital Budgets. 

“The 2025 Budget maintains services to the public while balancing various competing interests,” said Mayor McGarvey. “It’s great that Council was able to fund a number of requests from the community in this year’s budget.” The Town’s budget is developed based on benchmarking with other municipalities, a philosophy of continuous improvement, investment in infrastructure and sound financial management.

“The Senior Leadership Team appreciates Councils support of the 2025 budget,” said Mr. Harris. “The compilation of the 2025 Operating and Capital Budgets was a Team effort.”

The Town was able to secure approximately $13.3 million in capital grant funding, a significant increase from the $808,278 received the previous year. For 2025, the Town requires an additional $506,986 in funds, net of growth of $149,614 or a 1.9% increase ($260,996) to the operating budget and a 1.8% increase ($246,020) for capital infrastructure. The total 3.7% increase remains considerably lower than the projected average tax rate increases for Ontario municipalities in 2025, which include forecasted increases of over 6% in Toronto and 8% in Brampton (as cited in a report by John Owen, RE/MAX Impact Realty).

“The operating budget has a modest increase,” reported Ms. Phillips. “The 2025 budget focuses on maintaining existing infrastructure while planning to service growth, particularly housing, a priority for Council and the community.”

What does this mean for Parry Sound taxpayers?

The 2025 budget means the average taxpayer will pay only $58.14 more per year or an additional $4.85 per month for every $100,000 in residential assessment.

Some budget highlights include:

• A new wastewater pump station (#2) near Champagne Street and the construction of a new force main to connect it to the Town’s sewage treatment plant for $13.1 million in grant funding and a total cost of $17.9 million
• A significant investment at the town dock infrastructure including dock rehabilitation, sewer pump out facility relocation, and washroom facility improvements totaling $1 million
• Continued investment in the paving program at $589k, sidewalk improvements of $200k, and $590k for other stormwater improvements. 

Other items that were for consideration:

• An increase in the Downtown Business Association’s (DBA) contribution for beautification of $7,000
• Continued support for the Parry Sound High School Nutrition Program of $1,000

For further details and to stay informed about what’s happening in and around Parry Sound, please visit our website at: parrysound.ca, and follow us on Facebook at: facebook.com/townofparrysound 

Media Contact:
Sally O’Connor
Community Engagement / Deputy Clerk
Town of Parry Sound
52 Seguin Street, Parry Sound, ON P2A 1B4
705-746-2101 x216
soconnor@parrysound.ca