Reserves are being used by the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) to keep the municipal levy increase just under 3% this year.
The board has passed its 2024 budget at nearly $95 million.
It includes an overall increase of $4.5 million with the municipal levy going up nearly $675,000, or 2.99%.
Officials say the budget maintains 2023 services and includes an increase to Homelessness Prevention Program funding and Paramedic Services deployment changes.
“The data shows that there is an increased need for paramedic services in Temagami, Mattawa and South Algonquin and this budget will help to provide these enhanced services,” says Mark King, board chair.
According to the fiscal plan, the cost of paramedic services is going up 11.9% because of ‘significant pressures due to inflation, collective bargaining, and current costs being higher than expected’.
The Homelessness Prevention Program, which is funded by the province, is up from about $2.3 million last year to $5.3 million this year.
