2024 Municipal Budgets

Municipalities adopt 2024 budget forecasts in the midst of inflation

Municipalities in the Eastern Townships are adopting their 2024 budget forecasts, including the Town of Brome Lake and the Town of Sutton. Pictured is downtown Knowlton in the Town of Brome Lake. Photo by Taylor McClure.

By Taylor McClure
Townships’ Daily News Bits
CIDI 99.1 FM
Published on 21/12/23 - Played on 20/12/23

As they wrap up the year, municipal councils in the Eastern Townships are adopting their 2024 budget forecasts. 

With a rise in expenses due to inflation, municipalities are crunching their numbers this year in order to continue providing services to the population while trying to avoid placing a tax “burden” on citizens, according to Gilbert Arel, general manager for the Town of Brome Lake. He said that dealing with the pressures of inflation has been challenging for municipalities and citizens alike. 

Providing an example, Arel told CIDI that the snow removal contract that the Town of Brome Lake renewed for 2024 jumped from an estimated $600,000 to 900,000 within one year alone. He added that “it’s a bit concerning all the costs we are faced with at public works,” which makes up the bulk of the municipality’s expenses. 

Listen to the full interview below: