Centre Wellington has high hopes its new capital tax levy will bridge the gap in infrastructure and allow it to rebuild ‘closed’ and ‘at risk’ bridges.
Centre Wellington’s committee of the whole approval on Feb. 18 of the township’s 2015 operating budget and revised capital budget includes a list of proposed bridge repairs.
Part of that approval included a new dedicated capital tax levy of 2% ($18.35) to deal with the current shortfall of $9-million per year to address aging infrastructure repairs.
This funding is expected to provide a dedicated stable revenue for the township to begin a 10-year program to replace 13 bridges. This includes prioritized spending of approximately $16 million (over 10 years) on bridges that are currently closed or at risk of closing over the next few years.
Mayor Kelly Linton states that, “the 2% capital levy represents bold action taken by your new council to listen to your concerns and address our glaring infrastructure deficit.”
The budget also includes a major urban area streetlight conversion to LED lighting which will significantly reduce Township energy use and reduce our carbon footprint. This project is supported through a $232,000 grant from the Ontario Power Authority coupled with a seven-year pay back program.
Final approval by council is set for March 2 at 3pm.
A copy of the 2015 Operating budget is available for review at centrewellington.ca.
