Budgets and Finance

The Finance Department plays a critical role in ensuring the Township’s long-term financial health, accountability, and transparency. It provides strategic financial leadership that supports Council decision-making, sustains service delivery, and safeguards taxpayer resources.

With a focus on responsible budgeting, efficient operations, and leveraging future grant opportunities, the Department works to balance fiscal prudence with the community’s evolving needs. Continuous efforts are made to reduce expenditures where possible, implement operational efficiencies, and pursue external funding sources to minimize the tax burden on residents.

The Finance Department is responsible for:

Financial Stewardship: Maintaining all accounting and financial records of the Township.
Accounts Management: Administering Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable to ensure accurate and timely processing.
Investment & Debt Management: Overseeing the investing and borrowing of municipal funds in accordance with policy and legislation.
Budget Development & Monitoring: Preparing the annual operating and capital budgets, monitoring performance, and providing regular updates to Council.
Financial Reporting: Producing statutory financial statements, reports, and updates that ensure transparency to Council, residents, and external stakeholders.
Asset Management: Coordinating the Township’s Asset Management Plan to guide long-term infrastructure planning and replacement.
Internal Controls & Audit: Upholding strong internal audit practices and ensuring compliance with legislative requirements.
Taxation Services: Managing property tax billing and collection, including the administration of pre-authorized payment plans and penalty enforcement.

Through these functions, the Finance Department ensures that every municipal financial transaction is handled with integrity and aligned with the Township’s strategic priorities.

One of the most important tasks each year are the annual budgets which requires good planning. Council balances the provision of quality services while maintaining property taxes at a reasonable level. The budget process starts with Council focusing on its goals and the Asset Management Plan. Municipal staff consider these policies as they develop the budget details. Council makes final budget decisions on behalf of our Township.

The municipality is required to complete and file a variety of Financial Reports on an annual basis, including but not limited to Consolidated Financial Statements, Provincial Financial Information Returns, Municipal Performance Measures, and Federal Gas Tax Reporting.

View current copies of these reports:

Energy Management Plan - 2024

The Province of Ontario through their Municipal Infrastructure Strategy has mandated that all municipalities in Ontario create a comprehensive Asset Management Plan to assist and guide them in making appropriate infrastructure investment decisions now and into the future. As passed by Council, the Strategic Asset Management Policy will come into effect on July 1st, 2019.

The Township of Blandford-Blenheim intends to participate in one or more procurements conducted by the following:

Local Authority Services (LAS) - Canoe Procurement Group
Elgin Middlesex Oxford Purchasing Cooperative (EMOP)
Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services – Vendor of Record Arrangements (VOR)
Canadian Collaborative Procurement initiative (CCPI)

Volunteer organizations provide many services and complete a variety of community-minded projects for the citizens of Blandford-Blenheim. To assist these organizations in completing their activities, the Township of Blandford-Blenheim offers financial assistance through the annual Community Grants Program. Applications are due January 31st, each year and are approved through the annual budget process. Applications and questions can be emailed to Denise Krug at dkrug@blandfordblenheim.ca. Details of the program and application forms can be accessed below:

Council Grant & Subsidy policy TR-15-01
Council Grant & Subsidy application
Grant Funding Financial Forecast – Schedule B (to be completed with the application)
Grant Funding Final Event Report – Schedule C (to be completed within 30 days of the event date)

The Township of Blandford-Blenheim passes a By-law to provide for the adoption of user fee rates for various township activities and services for each calendar year. In addition, the Township imposes a development charge upon the development of any land within the municipality to assist with the costs of growth-related capital projects.