Centre Wellington councillors have approved an $11,544,900 capital budget for 2017 – excluding vehicle and equipment replacement.
In 2016, the capital budget was $8,945,000.
Council’s approval came quickly on Nov. 28, following two days of grueling talks on Nov. 21 and 23.
Road reconstruction, bridge replacements, preparing for growth, and building repairs are only a few of the items in next year’s capital forecast.
Centre Wellington Township receives one-quarter of the total taxes it collects each year.
Roughly 57% of the total property tax bills in the municipality goes to the Wellington County, 17% goes to fund education, leaving 26% to the township.
The township’s funding structure allows for approval of the next year’s capital projects without impacting the tax rate, as the available funding sources are known or can be estimated.
“Staff continue to present council with fiscally-responsible recommendations that are aligned to our Strategic Plan,” said Mayor Kelly Linton in a press release Nov. 29.
“The hours and hours of effort invested in this process by staff, management and council ensure that we continue to be make funding decisions that are in line with the priorities of our community.”
The mayor had earlier stressed “the budget is not just about playing with numbers, we really want to ask questions and whether we are getting results (for the money spent).
“Every municipality has to choose carefully when spending the taxpayers’ dollars,” Linton said.
“We know we can’t do everything our businesses and citizens want, but hopefully we can do the most important things.”
At the same time, Linton agreed there are “things which do come out of left field … and we’ve had a lot of that over the past two years.”
He said the township could not have anticipated the $3.4-million gift in the form of the Jack R. Macdonald Trust, the $2.1-million from the (provincial) Connecting Link program, the significant development proposal off South River Road, and more bridges being closed.
“The good thing is that we have not let these unanticipated events sideline us,” Linton added.
The following amounts are available as a minimum to fund the 2017 tax-supported capital budget:
– taxation ($700,500);
– gas tax ($811,500);
– OLG slots revenue ($2,100,000); and
– Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) ($560,300).
The continuation of the 2% dedicated capital levy initiated in 2015 will provide a means to address local bridge infrastructure requirements over the coming years.
The township is on track to rebuild eight bridges during the current term of council, including three in 2017: on 7th Line, 4th Line and Sideroad 20.
In addition, the township will start work to rebuild the St. David Street bridge in Fergus and the Victoria Street pedestrian bridge in Elora.
The majority of funds for the St. David Street bridge will come from the provincial connecting link program (90%) while funds for the pedestrian bridge in Elora will come from the Jack Macdonald Trust.
Other highlights of the 2017 capital budget include:
– reconstruction of Sideroad 20 from the Fifth Line to the Sixth Line;
– reconstruction of First Line from Sideroad 10 to municipal address #6641;
– reconstruction of Colborne St. in Elora from Geddes St. to North Queen St.;
– reconstruction of Princess St. in Elora from Church St. to the Grand River;
– redevelopment of a long-term water supply master plan over three years;
– redevelopment of a transportation master plan;
– an update to the township’s parks, recreation and culture master plan;
– synchronization of traffic signals on the connecting link (Highway 6) through Fergus;
– drainage improvements to the trunk storm outlet from Moir St. to the gorge in Elora;
– design and approvals in preparation for the replacement of the St. David St. bridge in 2018;
– watermain replacement on Wellington Dr. from Cuthbert St. to Cuthbert St. in Elora;
– replacement of the roof above Pad A at the Fergus Sportsplex;
– convert space to soccer fields and expansion of the parking lot at Forfar Park;
– upgrade various parks and recreation facilities for accessibility;
– continuation of a multi-year pavement management program to replace small sections of pavement;
– proactive remediation on township bridges to extend their useful life; and
– upgrading the Fergus Grand Theatre for accessibility, including the front lobby and washroom.
Deleted from the capital budget was an expansion of the online citizen budget input program in the amount of $10,000.
Planned work on the corporate operations facility was pushed forward one year to 2020 and 2021.
Park identification costs were reduced to $5,000 per year.
Proposed work on the Fergus Sportsplex maintenance building was reduced to $200,000 for an investigation into the feasibility of a renovation to the existing facility or a new one.
The budget also included the Victoria Street pedestrian bridge and the Elora public realm following comments by councillor Mary Lloyd requesting the item and funding plan be clearly identified in the budget.
Council provided preliminary approval for the 2018 and 2019 years included in the 10-year capital forecast, excluding equipment and vehicle replacement items.
Council also approved the hiring of two, three-year contract positions: an asset management/capital project manager and an urban forestry/landscape technician project manager, which are to be funded through capital projects approved by council.
Councillor Fred Morris stated that based on the contract positions alone, he could not support the budget.
While he understood the capital demands upon the township, “we certainly have more needs than resources to meet them.
“But in my mind I cannot justify the idea of the two positions.”
He said he understood these positions were defined under capital as they were being hired on a project-by-project basis, but he believes these individuals will be working 35 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.
“Not only that, I have a strong suspicion that after three years, these contract positions will morph into full-time positions.”
He said this illustrated a flaw in the budget process – where the capital and operating budgets are separate discussions.
“For the life of me, I do not see these positions belonging in a capital budget. These are operational expenses somehow being buried in the capital budget.
“For that reason, and that reason alone, I am going to say ‘no’ to this budget.”
Staff is now preparing for the 2017 draft operating budget for presentation and deliberation at the committee of the whole meeting on Jan. 24 from 9am to 6:30pm.
Staff presentations begin at 9am with delegations at 5pm. Additional meetings are slated for Jan. 27 from 9am to 4pm and Feb. 2 from 9am to 4pm if required.
