“Staying the Course” is the theme of budget discussions in Mapleton this year.
“Council knows we’ve been trying to go through a process to make us more … able to address some of our infrastructure deficits as we go through,” explained CAO Brad McRoberts in a report to a special council meeting on the 2017 budget on Nov. 18.
McRoberts pointed out staff are unable to determine the percentage levy, tax and blended tax increase this early in the process “as we have not received MPAC new assessments, we do not know the county or school board tax rate increases, nor do we know what the tax ratios are as established by the county.”
Draft budget figures as presented at the meeting would result in expenditures of $9.85 million in 2017, up just over $1 million from the $8.77 million projected in the 2016 budget.
Non-tax revenues are also expected to rise from $1.9 million budgeted in 2016 to about $2.9 million next year.
In his report, McRoberts noted roads and bridges continue to be the township’s largest single expense, eating up about 46 per cent of the budget.
Administration, and parks and recreation, both at 13%, represent the two other largest areas of expenditure.
Budget projections indicate higher revenues are anticipated from:
– increased penalties and interest on tax receivables;
– increased interest on banking and investments;
– an increased Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) contribution from the province; and
– increased gas tax and OCIF funding contributions.
On the flip side the township is projecting reduced revenue for the PMD Arena Complex and Maryborough Community Centre.
On the expense side, the budget projects a 4.4% increase (about $97,000) in total wages, made up of:
– a general wage increase based upon the Consumer Price Index of 1.8%;
– progression of staff through the township’s salary grid;
– an increase in hours for two administrative support positions to 40 hours from 35;
– an increase in deputy treasurer/tax collector position to 40 hours from 35 hours; and
– the addition of an excavator operator (0.6 full-time equivalent).
Other key factors affecting the budget include:
– anticipated increases in utilities, insurance, telephone, computer and IT support totaling approximately $50,000;
– increased fire dispatch costs of $12,000 plus $1.25 per resident;
– increased building maintenance costs of $30,000; and
– an apportionment of 10% of bylaw enforcement costs to general taxation as recommended in the township’s 2016 service review.
Continued increases to reserves or capital contributions to fund capital projects anticipated in 2016 include an additional:
– $85,000 for bridges;
– $100,000 for roads;
– $15,000 for fleet;
– $90,000 for the PMD Arena Complex; and
– additional principle and interest payments of $32,000 for bridges and $122,000 for roads.
Major capital works projects in the draft budget include $1.2 million for McGivern Street improvements in Moorefield, a $1.4 million bridge project in Glen Allen and $1.1 million for other bridge work.
Costs from the latter two projects could be defrayed if Ontario Community Investment Fund applications are approved, and some projects are contingent on funding.
Mayor Neil Driscoll commented that projected increases in unconditional provincial grants through the OMPF, something local municipalities including Mapleton have been lobbying for for some time, are encouraging to see.
The draft budget projects $735,500 in OMPF funding in 2017, an increase from 2016 when $714,500 was budgeted.
“Hopefully the message has been sinking in a little bit at a time,” said Driscoll.
The day-long meeting included discussions on the draft operating and capital budgets and five-year plan.
