Take the 2027 Howick Municipal Budget Survey

Howick Township wants to know what matters to residents. This survey is your opportunity to have a say on which services should be a priority in 2027 and beyond.

Answers and comments from this survey let us know how well municipal services are understood, how they are valued, and which ones are a priority for residents. This survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. A summary of feedback will be shared with Howick Council, but you won't be asked for any personal or identifying information. It closes on August 31, 2026.

2027 Municipal Budget Survey

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Welcome to the 2027 Howick Township Budget Survey

What is your age group? *

Under 30

31-50

51-64

65+

Prefer not to say

What type of property do you have in Howick Township? *

Residential (Single Family Home)

Residential (Single Family Home on an Agricultural property)

Multi-Residential (Apartment, Townhouse etc.)

Agricultural

Commercial

Industrial

Where is your property located in Howick?

Belmore

Fordwich

Gorrie

Lakelet

Rural agricultural property

Wroxeter

How many years have you lived in Howick? *

Less than 1 year

1-5 years

6-10 years

11-20 years

21-30 years

30+ years

Where do you go to receive information about Howick's Budget? (choose all that apply) *

Howick website

Facebook

Instagram

Council

What's Happening in Howick newsletter

Local Media

Other

I don't look for information on Howick's budget

In the future, HOW would you like to receive information about Howick's Budget? (Choose all that apply) *

Howick Website

Facebook

Instagram

What's Happening in Howick newsletter

Council Agenda/Minutes

Local Media

Other

I don't plan on looking for information on Howick's budget

How well do you feel Howick Township communicates how property tax dollars are spent? *

Very well

Well

Adequately

Poorly

Very Poorly

Unsure

How familiar are you with Howick Township's services and programs that you pay for through your property taxes? *

Not at all familiar

Somewhat familiar

Very familiar

Public Works ($27 dollars or every $100 in property taxes collected) *

Would you increase, maintain, or decrease the following Township provided service levels?

Increase Service Levels

Maintain Service Levels

Decrease Service Levels

Capital Projects (Roads, Bridges, Culverts, Improvements to Land or Buildings, Studies, etc.) ($29 of every $100 of property tax collected) *

Increase Service Levels

Maintain Service Levels

Decrease Service Levels

Police, Fire & Protective Services (Building, By-law Enforcement) ($16 of every $100 of property tax collected) *

Increase Service Levels

Maintain Service Levels

Decrease Service Levels

Recreation, Parks & Facilities ($11 for every $100 in property taxes collected) *

Increase Service Levels

Maintain Service Levels

Decrease Service Levels

General Government & Administration & Financial Services ($11 for every $100 in property taxes collected) *

Increase Service Levels

Maintain Service Levels

Decrease Service Levels

Waste & Recycling, Howick Landfill ($5 for every $100 in property taxes collected) *

Increase Service Levels

Maintain Service Levels

Decrease Service Levels

Planning & Development ($1 for every $100 in property taxes collected) *

Increase Service Levels

Maintain Service Levels

Decrease Service Levels

For the above-listed Township provided services, please expand on your reasoning or suggest specifics here:

Which option would you support the MOST to balance the budget? *

There are only a few ways to deal with increased costs to pay for Township services. Please select which option you would support the MOST and the LEAST to balance the budget.

Combination of cutting service levels and small increase in taxes and user fees

Combination of increase in property taxes and user fees

Cut existing services to maintain current taxes

Increase user fees

Increase property taxes

Which option would you support the LEAST to balance the budget? *

Combination of cutting service levels and small increase in taxes and user fees

Combination of increase in property taxes and user fees

Cut existing service levels to maintain current taxes

Increase user fees

Increase property taxes

If maintaining service levels required a property tax increase, what annual increase would you consider acceptable? Reminder, 1% of Howick's Budget is approximately $47,000. *

Please note, the cost of providing services rise annually due to inflation, tariffs and duties, fuel prices, rising costs, etc.

No increase

Up to 1%

1-3%

3-5%

More than 5%

Match the Ontario CPI Inflation Rate

Unsure

What topics would you like to learn more about when it comes to the municipal budget? (Select your top 3) *

What is the breakdown of what my tax dollars are put towards?

What is the difference between local municipal services and County services?

What services do I receive for my tax dollars?

How does MPAC calculate my property's Current Value Assessment?

How are property taxes calculated?

How does the municipal budget process work?

Do you feel you are getting good VALUE for your money in Howick Township from your property taxes? Explain *

How important is it to you that funding is set aside by the Township to replace infrastructure such as roads, bridges, parks, trails, vehicles and buildings to ensure existing levels of service can be provided in future years? *

Unsure/don't know

Unimportant

Somewhat unimportant

Somewhat important

Important

If you had to spend another $100 on your Howick Township Property Taxes, where would you spend it? *

Building/Planning

By-law Enforcement

Financial Services

General Government & Administration (Communications, Council, Economic Development, etc.)

Howick Fire Department

Policing

Public Works (Roads, Bridges, Stormwater Management, Drainage, Seasonal Maintenance)

Recreation & Facilities

If budget reductions were required, which service area should be the LAST to consider cuts? *

Building/Planning

By-law Enforcement

Financial Services

General Government & Administration

Howick Fire Department

Policing

Public Works (Roads, Bridges, Drainage, Stormwater Management, Seasonal Maintenance)

Recreation, Parks & Facilities

What do you feel should be Howick's NUMBER ONE PRIORITY for the 2026-2030 Term of Council? *

Building a Licenced Daycare Facility

Building a new Fire Hall

Increasing By-law Enforcement Activities

Road Construction & Maintenance (does not include paving new roads)

Upgrades/Improvements to Parks & Playgrounds

Replacing Aging Bridges & Culverts

Encouraging Development (new homes) to increase our assessment base

Paving more gravel roads

More Recreation Programming

Lowering Property Taxes (will require a cut to current service levels)

If you would like to provide any further comments for the 2027 Howick Township Budget, including any other priority areas/issues not considered, please use the space provided below.

Would you support a modest property tax rate increase to finance the construction of a licenced day care facility in Howick Township? (Proposed 1-3% tax rate increase for a 15 year loan) *

Yes

Only if significant grant funds were available to decrease the Township's borrowing costs

Would you use a licensed daycare facility if one was available in Howick Township? *

Yes - I would personally use this service

Yes - Members of my family would use this service (i.e. grandchildren)

No - I do not require childcare services

No - I already have childcare services within Howick Township

No - I travel outside of Howick Township for childcare services

Leave this field blank

Take the 2027 Howick Municipal Budget Survey

2027 Municipal Budget Survey

Welcome to the 2027 Howick Township Budget Survey

Get In Touch

Amy Van Meeteren Treasurer