Total taxes, including the township, school board and county portions, would rise by about $168 on a residential property valued at the median assessment of $330,000 under a proposed 2018 budget presented to Mapleton council on Nov. 7.
The draft budget calls for expenditures of about $11.6 million next year, compared to $9,626,413 budgeted in 2017.
The projected 2018 tax levy of $7.36 million is up by about $729,000, or about 11 per cent from the budgeted 2017 levy of roughly $6,630,000.
Based on estimated education and county taxes the township is projecting the blended tax rate increase to residential property owners of approximately 3.9%. The blended rate increase in 2017 was about 2.6%.
The township is projecting an overall revenue increase of $181,034 for 2018, including an additional $27,000 from parks and recreation, $107,000 from increased gas tax and Ontario Community Infrastructure contributions, $92,000 from increased fees for water and wastewater (no tax levy impact) and an additional $14,000 from other areas such as the fire, building and animal control departments.
Expenses are expected to rise by $830,970 in 2018.
Factors contributing to the anticipated increases include a total increase of $65,00 (about 2.25%) in wage costs. The wage figures include a general increase of 1.2% (based on the consumer price index) and staff progression through the salary grid.
Benefits/employer costs are also expected to increase by about $14,000. A hike of about $15,000 in levies to local conservation authorities is also anticipated.
Increased transfers to reserves to meet and sustain the township’s five-year capital plan for infrastructure include: $125,000 for bridges, $378,000 for roads and $30,000 for sidewalks.
Additional costs for the 2018 municipal election have also been factored into the proposed budget.
Aside from a $4.2-million project to upgrade wastewater capacity in Drayton and Moorefield, and $3 million for a water tower, Driscoll described the proposed budget as an effort to “just kind of stay the course and get some projects done.”
The capacity upgrade and water tower projects will be debentured over a number of years and won’t affect the tax levy, as they will be financed through water and wastewater income.
Staff are currently finalizing a presentation for a public meeting on the 2018 budget on Dec. 5 at 7pm.
