Petrolia had a $39,000 surplus at the end of 2022.

And the town plans to spend it to improve the audio visual system livestreaming council meetings to the public.

A recent report to council shows the town brought in $1,586,918 more in taxes than the $6,086,475 it spent operating the town in 2022.

Most of that surplus – $ 1,547,607- was transferred to the working capital reserve for future projects.

CAO/Treasurer Rick Charlebois said that leaves about $39,000 to pump into the new livestreaming project.

Council had approved $33,795 for the first part of the plan. But an error was found and now staff says $41,749 will be spent.

It was noted the whole project would cost about $65,000 and to move ahead with it now would mean contractors wouldn’t have to rip open the walls twice.
Council approved spending the surplus to complete the project in one year instead of two.