Wellington County municipalities will see a significant decrease to the Grand River Conservation Authority levies due to a ruling that changed the numbers in late December.
Joe Farwell and Lisa Stocco of the GRCA presented the draft budget to Wellington North council on Feb. 12. The budget, which has increased by $2.3 million or 7.3 per cent over 2017, includes $25.6 million in operating costs, $3.7 million in capital and $3.9 million in special projects.
The municipal levy, which makes up 34% of the GRCA’s revenues, is set to increase by 2.5% to $11.4 million in 2018. However, all of Wellington County’s municipalities within the watershed will see a decrease over last year’s numbers due to a ruling that changed how Hamilton was apportioned.
Farwell explained that a ruling from Ontario Mining and Lands Commissioner changed how Hamilton’s smaller municipalities were impacted from amalgamation.
“When they were amalgamated with Hamilton, all of a sudden, Hamilton’s urban centres were included in the assessment; it turned out that these small municipalities would have been hit with an extremely big levy increase,” explained Farwell.
“The folks at the time came up with an agreement to continue with the levy on the basis of rural municipalities and there was a very small assessment to Hamilton, about 2.4%.”
But in 2015, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority appealed this to the Ontario Mining and Lands Commissioner. The decision changed how Hamilton would be apportioned, increasing its levy by 427.4% from $263,512 to nearly $1.4 million.
In Wellington County, the municipal levy is as follows:
– Centre Wellington: (2.52% apportionment) 2018 levy of $285,969, which is down from $312,036 in 2017; a change of -8.4%;
– Erin: (0.65% apportionment) $73,360, down from $81,701 in 2017 or -10.2% change;
– Guelph-Eramosa: (1.41% apportionment) $159,913, down from $175,520 in 2017 or a -8.9% change;
– Mapleton: (0.79% apportionment) $90,132, down from $95,992 or -6.1% in 2017;
– Wellington North: (0.43% apportionment) $49,212, down from $53,415 or -7.9% in 2017;
– Puslinch: (0.99% apportionment) $111,983, down from $127,992 or -12.5% in 2017.
Farwell warned that these numbers could change. However, they are the numbers the GRCA board will be voting on at the end of February.
“I will tell you the City of Hamilton is requesting a judicial review of this, so this decision could be reversed,” he said.
“We are suggesting to folks that you set aside … just in case we have to come back.”
Budget
The work and operating costs of the GRCA are divided into seven business areas, including reducing flood damages, improving water quality, protecting natural areas, education and more.
The GRCA draws revenues from user fees, property rentals, hydro generation, municipal levies, municipal grants, provincial transfer payments, provincial grants, donations and federal grants.
Capital spending of water quality monitoring equipment at local dams includes:
– Luther Dam: purchase and install new stop logs;
– Conestogo Dam: complete a gate failure modes analysis and install a third independent method of monitoring high reservoir levels. Initiate a detailed design of concrete repairs to concrete control structure; and
– Guelph Dam: design and fabricate bulkhead to isolate the discharge valve to allow repair. Replace or repair the discharge valve. Complete backup generator and fuel system upgrades to meet current code requirements.
The GRCA will also spend capital funding at local conservation areas, including a sanitary servicing upgrade and Pines Campground expansion at Elora Gorge Conservation Area, a bridge replacement at Rockwood Conservation Area and a new playground at Guelph Lake Conservation Area.
The GRCA will also include funding for special projects in 2018, including flood plan mapping, ecological restoration, emerald ash borer work and other nature education programs.
Watershed pressures
Stocco spoke about current and future pressures on the watershed, such as population growth, agriculture and climate change.
There is currently about one million people in the Grand River watershed and it is expected to increase to 1.5 million by 2051.
“This is important to the entire watershed, because of the need for water supply, sewage treatment and ground water recharge,” said Stocco.
About 70% of the land in the watershed is agricultural.
“It’s a very rich agricultural region in Canada,” said Stocco.
“Fertilizers, farm chemicals and animal waste needs to be properly stored … to minimize the impact on water quality.”
Stocco also mentioned the significant rainfall and flooding event in Drayton in 2017.
“Warmer air and water temperatures, bigger rain storms, longer periods of drought are certainly some of the possible consequences that we’ve been noticing with respect to climate change and we’re seeing increased frequency of these extreme events,” she said.
The GRCA board is expected to vote on the budget at its Feb. 23 meeting.
