WELLINGTON NORTH – A municipal budget, including a tax levy increase of around 1.2 per cent, will be presented at a virtual public open house here on Dec. 14.
The public can log into the video conference, part of the regular Wellington North council meeting, to get a peek at the township’s 2021 budget prior to approval.
At the Nov. 23 meeting, finance director Adam McNabb walked council through the latest capital budget changes made in an effort to follow council direction for a budget with a levy increase under 2%.
Projects recommended for deferral included: a rural broadband opportunity assessment, a number of road projects and replacement of the township’s sidewalk plow.
Those cuts shaved “just north of $1 million” off the list of capital proposals, said McNabb.
Several major projects were deferred, while others, including a bridge replacement on Sideroad 7 and road work on Queen Street East, were made contingent on receipt of either an Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) grant or Connecting Link allocations from the provincial government.
The changes brought the 2021 capital spending program requirement down to the point a contribution of just under $2.3 million is required from the tax levy.
McNabb explained the changes included making a $1-million rehabilitation of ice-making equipment at the Arthur arena dependent on OCIF funding, despite uncertainty around potential 2021 allocations through the program.
“So we’re really just seeking council direction in terms of whether we want to continue with Arthur Community Centre ice-making piping work being contingent on OCIF, or if we want to perhaps look at other avenues to fund that project in order to precipitate a more palatable levy increase,” McNabb told council.
Councillor Sherry Burke was adamant replacement of the ice-making pipes should proceed.
“I think we should find the funds,” she stated.
“These have been on the books for a while … It’s all fine to have the building, but if we don’t have the ability to run the programs, then there’s no point in having the building open.”
“There’s no way that we can’t move ahead with this,” agreed councillor Dan Yake.
“Our arenas are valuable assets to our community. They are used so many ways and there is no way we can let this deteriorate to the point that it can’t be used, or it puts us in an emergency situation.”
Councillor Lisa Hern said the arena project is a priority “and should go forward.”
Mayor Andy Lennox said he is confident the township’s OCIF allocation would be sufficient to allow the project to proceed.
He noted the County of Wellington is budgeting with the assumption OCIF funds will be available.
“I have a great deal of confidence that I think it will continue,” the mayor stated.
“Perhaps I’ll be proven wrong and have to wear some egg on my face, but I think that we should proceed based on the fact that OCIF funding will continue and that it would allow us to proceed with that project, it would allow us to have funding for Queen Street and it would allow us to keep the levy (increase) down below two per cent.”
“I’m hopeful of that funding as well, but I guess the question still has to be proposed – what happens if we don’t get it?” said councillor Steve McCabe.
Council directed staff to fund the ice-making equipment rehabilitation through the township’s tax stabilization reserve fund.
CAO Mike Givens said he anticipates the 2021 budget bylaw will be presented for council consideration at the first council meeting in January.
