The Russell Township council has approved a strategy to distribute $544,588 in regional growth revenue received from the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR), directing most of the funds toward future infrastructure needs.
The one-time funding, redistributed by the county as part of its 2026 budget, is intended to help local municipalities address costs related to population growth and development.
As part of the approved plan, $46,296.43 will be transferred to the Township’s Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Reserve, which supports revitalization projects and economic development initiatives across the municipality.
The remaining $498,291.57 will be split between two reserves, with council choosing to allocate 80 per cent to the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Expansion Reserve and 20 per cent to the Municipal Growth Reserve.
Administration had originally recommended dividing the remaining funds equally between the two reserves. However, council opted to prioritize the wastewater project in order to reduce the financial burden on residents in the future.
During the discussion, councillors acknowledged concerns raised by administration about the long-term financing of the wastewater treatment plant expansion, a major infrastructure project needed to support continued development in the township.
If the municipality were to rely solely on wastewater user fees to finance the project, significant rate increases would likely be required over the coming years.
Councillor Lisa Deacon said dedicating more growth-related funding to the project could help limit pressure on taxpayers.
“What I’m reading in the report, and the increased feeling of the gravity of this conversation tonight has me thinking very conservatively,” Deacon said. “Applying growth-related funding that’s coming to, us to this growth pressure, and avoiding as much as possible pressure on general taxation in the coming years.”
Mayor Mike Tarnowski noted that while the current funding is a one-time payment, there is an intention at the county level to continue redistributing growth-related revenues to local municipalities in the future.
“This is a one-time funding amount,” Tarnowski said. “But there is certainly an intention at the county level, whether it comes through or not, to see growth-related dollars like this redistributed back to where the growth is coming from to help relieve some of this pressure.”
According to the report presented to council, the wastewater treatment plant expansion is a major growth-related investment that will support future residential, commercial and industrial development in the township.
Although wastewater services directly benefit properties connected to the municipal system, the increased treatment capacity will enable broader development that expands the tax base and supports municipal services such as roads, parks, recreation facilities and emergency services.
The township has already begun building funds for the project through wastewater user-fee increases approved in the 2026 budget, including a $20 increase in 2026 followed by $10 annual increases over the next decade.
The wastewater plant expansion is currently estimated to cost about $100 million, with roughly $68.75 million expected to be the Township of Russell’s share after contributions from development charges and neighbouring municipalities.
Municipal staff say using a combination of user fees, development charges and growth-related tax revenues represents the most sustainable approach to financing the project while maintaining affordability for residents.
Council’s decision to allocate a larger share of the county funding to the wastewater reserve reflects what staff described as a proactive approach to long-term financial planning and infrastructure investment needed to support the township’s future growth.
