BRUCEDALE – Guelph-Eramosa councillors appear to be comfortable with a proposed 2019 budget that will tackle several major infrastructure improvements and increase property taxes by 2.85 per cent.
A special council meeting was held on Feb. 11 to review the budget with finance director Linda Cheyne and staff department heads.
The draft includes $22.2 million in spending, with $6.8 million to be raised through property taxes and many projects funded by reserves.
“The estimated net tax levy percentage increase after accounting for new assessment growth is 2.85%, which represents a $7.15 increase on $100,000 of residential assessment,” said Cheyne.
Combined with the county increase of 2.8% and possibly 0% for education property taxes, Cheyne said the total tax bill could rise by $24 per $100,000 of assessment.
A property valued at $500,000 would see an increase of $120, with $35.79 going to the township.
The township is benefiting from a 2% increase in growth-related assessment, which provides revenue to offset higher taxes.
A public meeting will be held on Feb. 25 at 7pm for residents to ask questions and provide input on the budget.
Councillors made no changes to the draft budget, but did vote unanimously to spend $30,000 to upgrade the crosswalk on Main Street North in Rockwood with button-activated flashing lights and overhead signs.
Highlights of the budget include a cost of living pay increase of 2.2% for staff, based on council’s salary policy. There will be no increase to the number of full-time staff and there will be no new debt incurred.
Like all Ontario municipalities, the township is bracing for possible reductions to the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF).
“I’ve heard it could be cut by 10 to 15%, but it’s cloaked in fog – it’s absolutely unknown,” said Mayor Chris White.
For now, the budget lists OMPF revenue at $490,200, the same as in 2018.
Water and wastewater services, which are covered by user fees and development charges, will cost $6.6 million in 2019, with capital improvements totalling $3 million for water and $400,000 for wastewater.
Operating expenses for other departments will add up to $7.9 million, while other infrastructure upgrades will cost $4.8 million. Transfers to reserves will be $2.3 million, while long-term debt payments will cost $600,000.
Guelph-Eramosa provides services to more than 13,000 residents, with 225 km of roads, 28 bridge and culvert structures, 14 parks, seven community facilities, 10 sports fields and 4.6km of trails.
“It’s going to be a busy year capital-wise,” said White.
The 2019 capital budget is estimated at $8.3 million, compared to $6.4 million in 2018, an increase of $1.9 million or 29.7%.
It includes $195,750 for general administration, $64,000 for fire and emergency services, $3,444,000 for water/wastewater projects, $3,392,000 for other public works and $1,158,650 for parks and recreation.
Proposed capital projects costing at least $100,000 are:
– $1.3 million for 6th and 7th Line resurfacing;
– $1.28 million for Bedford Road reconstruction;
• $1.26 million for a new water pumping station at 154 Milne Place;
– $753,650 for Rockmosa Park development;
– $560,000 for Harris Street watermain replacement;
– $520,000 for a culvert replacement on Road 3;
– $370,000 for upgrading Lou’s Boulevard sewage pumping station;
– $330,000 for Catherine Street railway watermain connection;
– $270,000 for tandem plow truck replacement;
– $225,000 for Alma Street watermain replacement;
– $150,000 for Harris Street sidewalks (while the county is resurfacing the road);
– $120,000 for retrofitting LED lighting at the Royal Distributing Athletic Performance Centre;
– $118,000 for replacement of a wide area grass mower (11 feet) and
– $100,000 for water/wastewater computer upgrades.
