ELORA – Centre Wellington council returned to part two of its budget deliberations on Feb. 8 (part one was two days earlier) and, after hearing the remainder of the staff presentation, circled back to items councillors had flagged for more discussion.
There were 10 items that had been “parked” and staff returned on Wednesday with answers to those “parking lot” questions.
Administrative support for CAO’s office
CAO Dan Wilson told council on Feb. 6 that while a full-time administrative support position is needed, this position was one cut by staff to keep the budget below a 4 per cent increase.
Instead, a four-month co-op position was included in the budget at a cost of $13,000.
Councillor Barb Lustgarten-Evoy had observed how busy Wilson’s office was and wanted to know the tax impact of going ahead with a full-time hire rather than a temporary fix.
With the figure in hand on Feb. 8, Wilson said hiring an FTE would add $53,962 to the budget – about $4 per dwelling.
After discussion, council decided to extend the co-op position from four to eight months and voted in favour of adding $10,400 to the budget.
This adds 0.06% to the tax increase – about $1 per dwelling.
Neighbourhood Wellness Grant
The 2022 budget included $5,000 for the new Neighbourhood Wellness Grant program, but council got so many requests, it decided to allot $10,000 to the program.
The 2023 budget also set $5,000 for the program and councillor Bronwynne Wilton wondered if that could be increased to $10,000 for this year as well.
The grant program is funded from reserves, so this would have no impact on taxation, Wilson said.
But a report on the grant program is coming to council on Feb. 13 and Wilson suggested council hold off on its decision until then.
Council passed a motion to defer this item until the report is received.
Increased transfer to reserve
While a lofty ambition and healthy for the township’s financial state, Wilson advised that an increased transfer of $158,000 to the asset management reserve be put off until 2024.
Increasing the transfer would add 0.89% to the tax rate or $11 per household, he said.
Council voted to park this item for the draft 2024 budget.
Traffic calming, lowering speed limits
Council wondered about adding another $125,000 to the 2023 budget for traffic calming measures, the top concern councillors heard on the campaign trail last fall.
Wilson said a comprehensive infrastructure services report is to come to council in April, with data on speeding and other road issues, and he suggested council wait for that report before boosting the budget.
Council voted to hold off spending and await the report.
Business licensing
Mayor Shawn Watters asked for this new capital project – to investigate business licensing with respect to Airbnbs.
There is a feeling that Airbnbs, while needed for tourism, are taking away from the long-term rental stock in the community.
Wilson said it would cost about $100,000 for a consultant, that could be funded through the general capital reserve.
Wilton thought that with so many studies planned for 2023, this should be put off for another year.
“Taking $100,000 for another study in this fiscal year does not seem wise,” she said.
Watters noted that Airbnbs are linked to the housing supply, and there’s a shortage of housing in Centre Wellington.
“It takes time, but we need to get started on this,” he urged.
“The previous council should have got going on this. We need to look at it as soon as possible.
“It won’t be solved overnight but we need to start this process.”
“I agree, but I still caution it should be the strategic plan,” said councillor Jennifer Adams.
“I’m not opposed to this being the top item in those discussions.”
Seeing the writing on the wall, Watters put forward a motion to move business licensing to the strategic plan process and council agreed.
Health care professional recruitment
Moved by Dr. Sarah Gower’s presentation on Feb. 6, council wanted to discuss ways to assist with physician recruitment.
Wilson said a report is coming to council on Feb. 27 that will have more information on this topic.
Council voted to defer discussion pending the report.
Downtown garbage collection
The Fergus and Elora BIAs both delegated to council on Feb. 6 seeking assistance after Wellington County reduced downtown garbage pick-up to every other week.
Wilson noted that having a discussion with the county would not impact the budget.
Council voted for senior staff and the mayor to initiate a discussion with the county.
Kitras delegation
Former councillor Stephen Kitras delegated to council on Feb. 6 asking for four things:
- start a public budget advisory committee;
- reduce the staffing strategy;
- partner with the county on an operations centre rather than building the township’s own; and
- put more money into attainable housing.
Wilson advised against each suggestion.
A budget advisory committee would need citizens with a high degree of financial and legislative knowledge to volunteer their time and that’s hard to find, he said.
It would also complicate matters rather than streamline the budget process, which takes almost a year to prepare.
Wilson said increasing staffing does not increase the tax rate, “and reducing staffing will not reduce the tax rate.”
He said there have been discussions with the county on sharing operations space and a report on that is expected in March.
On attainable housing, Wilson said that should be part of the strategic plan discussion.
Wilson noted that Kitras, in his delegation, said council had passed the capital budget already, “but the capital budget has not been passed.
“That’s a misstatement by Mr. Kitras,” Wilson said.
Council agreed with Wilson’s recommendations.
Gordon delegation
Millicent Gordon, spokesperson for the Centre Wellington Black Committee, had sought $3,000 from the township to help with an event the committee is planning for Black Heritage Month.
Managing director of parks and recreation Pat Newson told council she’s had further discussion with Gordon since the Feb. 6 meeting and let Gordon know ways the township could help.
Wilson said there’s funding in the equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) fund, so no impact on the taxpayer and no jumping the queue in terms of the community grant program and its timelines.
Council approved a motion to fund the event with $3,000 from the EDI fund.
In the end, council, as committee of the whole, recommended the budget be approved.
So unless councillors change their minds between now and then, it is expected the budget will pass at the Feb. 27 council meeting.
