The proposed 2015 budget for Guelph-Eramosa would see a township property tax increase of 5.06 per cent.
For a Guelph-Eramosa homeowner with an average assessment of $389,394, this means township property taxes will be $1,051, up $51 from $1,000 last year.
When county and provincial education taxes is considered, the total property tax for the average taxpayer will increase by 2.52% or $107 to a rate of $4,337 – up from last year’s bill of $4,230.
For every property tax dollar paid, Guelph Eramosa receives 24%, with $58% going to the county and 18% to the province for education purposes.
Total 2015 spending, including operating, capital, transfers to reserve and long-term debt repayment is $16.8 million.
Of that, spending supported through water and wastewater rates amounts to $6.1 million, while spending supported through non-tax revenue (user fees, grants, financing, development charges, reserves, etc.) is $5 million, and tax-supported operating and capital spending amounts to $5.7 million.
Expenditures proposed for 2015 total $10.7 million, broken down into operating expenditures of $6.56 million, capital expenditures of $2.3 million, long-term debt repayment of $600,000 and transfers to reserves of $1.2 million.
Factors affecting the budget increase for 2015 include:
– service enhancements such as a crossing guard, planning resources and a community coordinator;
– cost of living adjustment for staff;
– health care premium increases;
– employment of seven new volunteer firefighters;
– maintenance improvements to area bridges, ditches and sidewalks;
– fire dispatch cost increase;
– additional roadside mowing; and
– a levy increase from the Grand River Conservation Authority.
In terms of departmental spending, the majority of funds (48%) will be delegated to public works, 19% to insurance, 16% to parks and recreation, 13% to general government and 4% to planning.
Council reviewed the budget summary following its economic development committee meeting on Feb. 4 and a meeting to gather public input was held on Feb. 9.
In a packed council chamber on Monday night, residents voiced their concerns and comments regarding the proposed budget.
Resident Mike Nagy voiced concerns regarding consultant fees, he would like to see an complete list of consultants rather than the breakdown for each department.
Nagy also asked questions regarding the Rockwood fire hall.
“The lighting at the fire hall violates the township’s own lighting policy. It broadcasts light everywhere and I think it’s a big concern in the neighbourhood,” he said.
“I’d like to see a budget in there to diffuse that light on to the property. There’s a lot of light trespass.”
Mayor Chris White said the township tried to address this concern by making adjustment to the lights but urged residents to speak up if they’re still being bothered.
He said the “big advertising” sign now shuts off at 11pm.
Nagy also stated the county is becoming too “big brotherish” and that he would like the township to be more autonomous.
He told parks and recreation manager Robin Milne that he would volunteer to help with fundraising for parks and recreation projects.
“It’s for our community and I think from that we grow strength … I agree that it’s better someone knocking on the door as a citizen than the township asking for money,” Nagy said.
Resident Doug Tripp opined that there isn’t enough money in the budget for legal fees surrounding the proposed James Dick Construction quarry and possible Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) meetings.
“It seems the likelihood of an OMB action is increasing as we move into the next fiscal year,” Tripp said.
CAO Kim Wingrove said there are legal and planning fees worked into various lines and sections of the budget. This is included in the administration budget, in the planning department budget and there are reserves in administration that would be available.
Director of finance Linda Cheyne also said that the township could borrow against the Rockwood hydro fund if more money is needed in legal fees regarding the quarry.
She also said there’s $283,000 in the working fund reserve within the administration reserves. This could also be used if needed.
Rockwood business owner Hugh Hunter voiced his frustration surrounding the winter maintenance of sidewalks in the business area downtown.
He said his taxes keep going up but he is having to dig out the snow year after year – or hire someone else to do so.
White agreed, “It is a problem and it’s a challenge for us.” But that area is not the township’s responsibility, he added, it’s in provincial jurisdiction, and the township does not have the equipment necessary to clear the snow.
“We basically have to shovel it into a truck and haul it off,” he said. “One of the things that we tried to ensure is across the street just up from the cenotaph, there’s some parking there, that’s easy to clear and we’re keeping that clear.”
White said when the township has the time it tries to take care of snow removal in the business area.
Rockwood resident and former councillor John Scott posed many questions to council and staff, including an inquiry about the status of the township’s ice storm claim with the province.
White said the township has been receiving mixed messages from the province regarding the claim.
After needing to complete various applications, of which the last was approximately 500 pages, the township is down to a claim of $160,000 and there is no indication of when the funds will come.
“Whenever that money shows up we’ll make a determination at that time what we’re going to do with it,” White explained.
“It’s really hard to assign it now when we don’t know when it’s coming.”
Scott also had questions surrounding staff salaries and allocations of staff resources.
Wingrove said she has committed to an assessment to evaluate how Guelph-Eramosa stands up against other municipalities of a similar size.
Guelph-Eramosa serves 12,380 residents and is responsible for maintaining 222km of roads, 57 hectares of open space, 11 parks, 10 playgrounds, seven community facilities, nine Sports fields and 3km of trails. The township employs 35 full-time, three temporary full-time, 12 part time/seasonal, eight summer students and 11 casual staff.
