Huron County Has A Significant Surplus For 2023

by Bob Montgomery

Huron County council learned at their last meeting that the county had a significant surplus at the end of 2023.

Treasurer Michael Blumhagen told council the surplus was about $4.6 million which is more than they would have in a normal year. Blumhagen says part of that is the result of significant savings in their winter maintenance costs for the year because of the milder winter. There were also some additional revenues and some savings in programs like Homes for the Aged and Social Services that they weren't expecting.

Blumhagen says while it wasn't expected, it will help with the county's housing project on Gibbons Street in Goderich and about half of the surplus will go towards the 2024 budget to help reduce that levy. Blumhagen says about $2.4 million will go towards the housing project.