Wellington-Dufferin- Guelph Public Health finalized its 2008 budget this week with an 8.4 per cent increase in spending over 2007.

As part of the funding formula, Dufferin County will be responsible for 5.8 per cent of the $1,134,320, or $65,790.

The agency, with its headquarters in Guelph, offers a broad range of programs in various aspects of health, ranging from infant and child development to mental health, right through to cessation of drug abuse and tobacco use.

The province will foot 72.9 per cent of this year's costs, with the city of Guelph chipping in 12.7 per cent and Wellington County adding nine per cent.

The respective populations of the different contributors determine who pays what.

The province had agreed to fund up to 75 per cent of the costs, but for the last five years has capped annual increases in funding at five per cent. In order to fulfill the agency's program goals for 2008, the participating municipalities decided to carry more of the burden.

The most significant costs will be facility costs and base increases for current staffing.

As well, the agency has allocated funds for the hiring of a "new media specialist," who will be responsible for both promoting and marketing the health unit, which locally has offices in Orangeville and Shelburne.