By Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
The Town of LaSalle has released its 2025 Draft Budget and Business Plan, outlining significant changes, departmental summaries, and the proposed capital budget.
If approved, the municipal levy will rise by $4.6 million compared to 2024, bringing the 2025 General Levy to $50.4 million. For the average single-family home valued at $710,000, municipal taxes will increase from $2,989 in 2024 to $3,198 in 2025—an annual increase of $209 or $17.43 monthly.
The proposed increases include approximately $1 million for policing costs, covering wages, benefits, additional administrative staff, and inflation. Another $1.7 million is allocated for enhancements such as master plans, capital reserve contributions, and investments in IT and infrastructure. Inflationary changes cost $1.9 million, addressing wages, insurance, garbage collection, and park maintenance costs.
“While inflation rates are beginning to stabilize, the Town continues to be affected by the increases of the past few years,” said Dale Langlois, Director of Finance/Treasurer.
“Despite these pressures, we remain committed to investing in critical areas that sustain our existing service levels and position LaSalle for future growth. Our focus will continue to be on delivering services, infrastructure, and programming that enhance and contribute to the well-being of our community. The proposed budget carefully considers the affordability for our taxpayers while ensuring we maintain the high quality of services they rely on.”
The province’s decision to postpone the municipal property assessment update, initially scheduled for Jan. 2021, means property valuations for 2025 will remain based on Jan. 1, 2016 values. Nearly all properties in LaSalle will retain the same assessment value from 2020 to 2024.
Residents were invited to an open house at the Vollmer Centre to discuss the draft budget with the council and administration. If necessary, budget deliberations will take place in council chambers at the LaSalle Civic Centre on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5.