A “stay-the-course budget” including wage freezes for council and staff means Guelph-Eramosa taxpayers will be seeing a 2.7% increase in township taxes this year, says Mayor Chris White.
The 2010 budget, which totals almost $17.23-million, was unanimously approved by council on Monday night.
It includes almost $13.13-million in revenue, leaving $4,097,988 to be raised through taxation. This year’s levy is actually up 3.5% over last year ($3,958,934) but increased assessment across the township means homeowners will see an increase closer to 2.7% on their township tax bill.
“We’re just kind of staying the course,” White said on Tuesday.
He noted the 2010 budget will maintain the current level of services, including maintenance and capital upgrades to urban and rural infrastructure.
The mayor said the township usually allows a cost-of-living increase for staff and council wages, but considering inflation was so low in 2009, the township decided to forego those increases this year. However, he noted “merit-based” raises could still occur.
Last year, the average owner with a home assessed at $319,000 would have paid $826 in township taxes. This year, due to the phased-in assessment increases from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), the same home would be valued at $339,000 and the owner would pay $848 in taxes – an increase of 2.67%.
Township taxes make up about 20% of the overall tax bill, with the province’s portion for education at about 25%, and the county’s portion at 55%. County taxes are up 2.4% this year.
White said he is very pleased with the budget, adding were it not for increases in insurance ($74,000, representing a 2% levy increase) and the levy from the Grand River Conservation Authority (representing a 0.25% increase) the budget figures would be almost identical to the 2009 numbers.
The largest portion of the 2010 budget is recreation and culture services, at almost $6-million. Just under $5.5-million of that is set aside for phase one of the Marden Park master plan, including a 50,000 square foot indoor facility that will house a Sports field with artificial turf and a track, as well as an outdoor football field.
Of the 2010 Marden Park funds, $3,427,893 will come from the federal and provincial governments and $2,066,000 will come from a debenture incurred by the township.
Also included in the parks and recreation section of the budget is:
– $7,500 for the completion of the enabling garden at Marden;
– $7,500 for a water hydrant at Max Storey park;
– $10,000 for accessibility upgrades at the Rockmosa community centre;
– $24,447 for the demolition of the old Rockwood medical centre;
– $25,000 for a new front deck mower; and
– $100,000 for a new roof at Rockmosa.
Other major capital items included in the 2010 budget are:
– $10,000 for mapping the water system in former Guelph Township;
– $12,400 for firefighter bunker gear;
– $12,500 for a bi-annual bridge inspection;
– $15,000 to implement the recommendations of the infiltration study for the Rockwood water system;
– $15,000 for new data reading equipment software for the Rockwood water system;
– $16,000 for training equipment for the fire department;
– $22,000 for a new pick-up truck for Rockwood water system employees;
– $23,000 for a new pick-up truck for the fire department;
– $30,000 for a Public Sector Accounting Board final report and software requirements;
– $37,000 for study to determine what can be done to extend the life of a bridge on Mill Road;
– $42,000 for a new public works truck;
– $95,000 for a culvert on Jones Baseline (in anticipation of reconstructing the road in future years);
– $164,292 for a new dump truck/sander/plow;
– $291,900 to pulverize and pave Speedvale Avenue, from County Road 32 to the Woolwich Townline;
– $454,800 to upgrade the 6th Line, from County Road 124 to Sideroad 20; and
– $2.1-million to convert the Rockwood water system’s pre-treatment plant to a sewage pumping station.
Finance manager Linda Cheyne explained the last item depends on the next development proposed in?Rockwood, and could proceed either this year or next. She added the cost will be covered by development charges and not the township’s tax levy. Copies of the budget are available at the township office or get.on.ca.
