Municipality of Southwest Middlesex 2027 Budget Survey

Budget 2027: Have Your Say!

As we begin the 2027 municipal budget, we want to hear from you.
Please complete this brief survey and help us create a budget that reflects the priorities of local residents and businesses.

As you answer these questions, please remember:
1. Your annual tax bill is made up of taxes payable to Southwest Middlesex, as well as to the County of Middlesex and your preferred school board. This survey concerns ONLY the funds paid to, and the services offered by, the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex.
2. There are some services that municipalities are legally required to provide - this limits how much room we have to reduce services/costs.

This is your opportunity to let us know how do you want to see your tax dollars spent in 2027, and which services are most important to you and your family.

Thank you for your time!

1.Value for Your Tax Dollars:

Every time your street is plowed, you see a fire station responding to an emergency, or you see the garbage truck drive by, you are witnessing your tax dollars at work.

Your annual tax bill is made up of taxes for Southwest Middlesex, Middlesex County, and your preferred school board. In general, about 62% of what you pay in taxes goes to Southwest Middlesex.

Thinking about the portion of your property taxes that goes to the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex, how would you rate the overall value you receive for your municipal tax dollars?

2.Overall Satisfaction:

Overall, how satisfied are you with the services provided by the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex?

3.Based on your answer above, can you share one example of a municipal service that is working well and one example of a municipal service that could be improved? Please provide specific details.(Required.)

Service that is working well

Service that could work better

7.What approach should Council take?:

Municipal property taxes are the main source of funding for many of the services provided by Southwest Middlesex.

Which of the following approaches would you like Council to consider when developing the 2027 municipal budget?

Increase taxes to enhance or expand municipal services

Increase taxes in line with inflation to maintain current service levels

Maintain taxes at current levels and reduce some services to maintain others

Decrease property taxes and reduce service levels

Use reserve funds where appropriate to reduce immediate tax impacts

Borrow responsibly for major capital projects where appropriate

I am not sure

8.If you Had an Extra $250,000:

Imagine that the Municipality received an unexpected additional $250,000 to invest in the community.

What would you like to see it used for?

10.Looking Ahead:

What is the single biggest challenge or opportunity facing Southwest Middlesex that Council should consider when developing the 2027 budget?

11.Contact with the Municipality:

In the past 12 months, have you contacted the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex to receive a service or information?

Other (please specify)

12.Satisfaction With Your Most Recent Interaction:

If you contacted the Municipality in the past 12 months, how satisfied were you with the outcome of your most recent interaction?

13.How Should we Communicate with you?:

How do you prefer to receive information from the Municipality?

Other (please specify)

14.About You:

Where in Southwest Middlesex do you live?

Ward 1 (Appin, Melbourne, Middlemiss - former Ekfrid)

Ward 2 (Glencoe)

Ward 3 (Wardsville - former Mosa)

Not applicable

15.About You:

Would you describe your home as being in an urban or rural setting?

Rural

Urban (including hamlets, villages, or settlement areas)

Not applicable

19.Final Comments

Is there anything else you would like Council to consider when developing the 2027 Southwest Middlesex municipal budget?

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey!

A summary of the survey results will be presented to Council, and will be used in preparing the 2027 municipal budget.