MINTO – Improvements to roads, trails, parks and pools are all part of a proposed 2019 Town of Minto budget that includes $6.8 million in capital spending this year.
Acting CAO Chris Harrow and acting clerk/treasurer Gordon Duff led a staff presentation of the draft capital budget to council on Feb. 19.
Staff noted in the presentation the town spent over $39 million improving infrastructure between 2011 and 2018 and $30.2 million is identified in the current five-year plan through 2023.
Harrow noted the $6.8 million budgeted for this year’s capital plan includes $2.3 million for reconstruction of the Minto-Normanby Townline although the town’s actual contribution is only $150,000. Both Minto and West Grey have received $1 million in upper tier funding and will contribute $150,000 each.
The report also notes some projects are actually on hold due to lack of grant funding. These include a reconstruction project on the 12th Line, work on the Brunswick Street Bridge in Palmerston and the Palmerston Industrial Park lift station.
Capital spending could be further reduced if additional cuts to the town’s allotment of Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) dollars are incurred. The Ontario government has announced that OMPF is among the programs being looked at in review of the province’s finances.
In a telephone interview, Harrow said Minto is more dependent on OMPF for operational funding than for capital projects, but “there would be some things in the capital budget that won’t get done,” if the funding is cut.
“We think that we’re frozen this year but, reading the fine print, we’re not convinced of that. There could be cuts to us,” said Harrow.
“We’re hoping that there’s more information in the provincial budget come March.”
The town received about $1.6 million in OMPF funding in 2018,
The report also notes a recent spike in interest in industrial park land will increase the demand for capital work in the existing park as well as possible need for expansion.
“Discussion will need to take place on dividing our efforts between future expansions and funding existing infrastructure projects,” states the report.
“It’s going to be one of the toughest decisions, actually multiple decisions, that council’s going to have to make in this term. How much do you divide your capital funds between fixing and advancing existing infrastructure and how much do you put towards expansion of industrial parks and urban boundaries and stuff like that? It’s a real fine line when you don’t have a ton of capital money.”
Proposed capital spending in 2019 includes just over $4 million for roads and drainage, more than $1 million on water and sewer infrastructure, about $470,000 on protection and fire, $415,000 to support economic development, $567,000 for recreation and $215,5000 in other areas.
Once grant revenue and contributions from development charges, reserves and other sources are factored in, the budget projects the tax-supported portion of capital spending will be $520,000 in 2019.
Proposed fire department spending in 2019 includes $40,000 for bunker gear, $50,000 for building renovations in Clifford and $50,000 for training equipment and computers.
Public works spending includes $140,000 to enhance parking in downtown Palmerston and about $335,000 for watermain and wastewater treatment projects in Palmerston.
In Harriston, public works projects include $180,000 for Maitland River flood mitigation and $125,000 for the George Street North watermain.
In Clifford, $450,000 is projected for carryover work on the Ann Street project, $170,000 for the William Street project and $20,000 for work on Elora Street.
The budget projects capital spending of $517,000 on facilities in Minto.
Facility projects in Harriston include $35,000 for auditorium and kitchen renovations, $20,000 for park upgrades including continued conversion of the former trailer park into parkland, and $20,000 for pool upgrades including initial exploratory work on a splash pad for the Harriston Kinsmen Pool.
“What we’re going to do is investigate the feasibility of that,” Harrow explained. “What we’re probably going to do is run that into the recreation master plan and start seeing, is that something that everyone wants? Does it fit into the plan?”
Harrow also noted the Harriston Kinsmen Club is “keen” to help support the project if it moves forward.
Park upgrades, at $75,000, are the major expenditures projected for Clifford facilities. That work could include a privacy fence separating the ball diamond from abutting properties.
“We’re working with the CRA (Clifford Recreation Association) to see what’s needed,” said Harrow.
Proposed work on Palmerston facilities includes:
– $69,000 for a second dehumidifier, work on dressing room plumbing, and painting at the arena;
– $98,000 for a furnace, lighting, sound, tables, ceiling, accessible doors, water heater, and an ice-maker in the community centre;
– $50,000 for a deck, roof, furnace and rolling stock at the Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum; and
– park upgrades of $84,000 including work on the pedestrian bridge and the CNRA building.
Other proposed parks and recreation capital spending includes $10,000 for trail improvements, $20,000 for refrigeration requirements and $2,000 for a truck cap and a roll out truck bed. The town is also budgeting for $60,000 for donations and grants.
Administrative capital spending proposed in the budget draft includes $13,000 for buildings, $32,500 for computer replacement and software, and $35,000 for building department pickup trucks.
The draft operational budget projects a total levy requirement (the amount to be raised through taxes) of just under $5,191,193, an increase of $243,786, or just under five per cent from the budgeted 2018 levy of $4,947,407.
Total spending for 2019 is projected at $6,301,893, up $323,786 from the $5,978,107 budgeted in 2018. Combined with county and education levies, the overall tax increase is projected at less than 3% for the average residential ratepayer.
The town is currently operating with Harrow, also chief of the town’s fire services, as acting CAO and treasurer Gordon Duff as acting clerk while council ponders a long-term replacement for former CAO/Clerk Bill White who retired in December.
The draft budget does not fund a stand-alone CAO position and Harrow said there is currently no timeline for filling the position permanently.
Deputy treasurer added
“It’s a future report that will have to go to council and they will have to talk about the structure and how they see the structure,” he stated.
The budget does include the addition of a second deputy treasurer position.
“The skill set for it is asset management and budgeting,” said Harrow, who noted the new position will require a certified accounting designation.
The additional position will bring the total staff complement to 42 full-time equivalent positions.
The report notes that impending retirements provide “potential for more restructuring.”
A budget open house is scheduled for March 19 at 5pm in the council chamber at the Town of Minto administration centre.
