ELORA – Centre Wellington has passed its 2020 budget with a total tax increase of 4.7 per cent for a property assessed at $377,425.
On Dec. 16, council ratified the decision already made at the committee of the whole budget meeting on Dec. 5.
However, councillor Bob Foster did ask that the passing of the bylaw be deferred and referred back to committee “because of obvious errors in the calculus and the obvious errors in the statements and the rate of taxation increase.”
He added, “We have an obligation to make sure that report is accurate and it’s not with respect to the rate of increase in taxation.”
Only councillors Stephen Kitras, Kirk McElwain and Foster voted in favour of this motion. It was defeated and the budget passed as planned.
The owner of an average home assessed at $377,425 will be paying an additional $52 on their tax bill, including a municipal tax increase of $30 (2.7%) and bridge rebuilding capital levy increase of $22 (2%), for a total of $1,252.
The consolidated 2020 budget totals $59.4 million
One of the major challenges this year was funding.
“Staff stressed the impact that the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) reductions made on the overall operating budget,” officials said in a press release.
“This funding has been reduced by approximately $1,270,900 since 2009 which translates as an 82.4% reduction. In 2020, the township will receive only $271,700.”
New to 2020 is an OLG funding allocation policy, which sees 88% of OLG funds go to township capital projects (maximum $2.2 million), 5% to arts, culture and heritage, and the remainder to economic development.
Of the arts, culture and heritage allocation, the Elora Centre for the Arts and the Fergus Scottish Festival will each receive $55,000, while the Fergus Grand Theatre will receive $5,000 for a digital sign and the rural and cultural heritage landscape registry will receive $13,750.
