Wellington County unanimously approved on Jan. 25 a 2018 budget with a 2.5 per cent increase in the county portion of property taxes.
The increase is slightly lower than the 2017 increase of 2.9% and down from the 2.8% projected in the county’s 10-year plan. The plan projects tax rate increases ranging from 2.8 to 5.2% between 2019 and 2027.
The county’s total tax levy will increase by 4%, from $91,427,400 in 2017 to $95,079,100 this year.
Factoring in assessment growth, the projected tax impact of 2.5% would be equal to about $15 per $100,000 worth of assessment per individual taxpayer.
The projected levy was increased by $10,000 (to provide funding for Project Lifesaver Wellington County through the county’s police services board) from draft figures presented to county council at a budget session on Jan. 8.
The program helps caregivers use electronic tracking to respond to the challenges of keeping loved ones safe when they wander due to Alzheimer’s, autism or other forms of cognitive impairment.
Another change proposed during a road committee review of the budget prior to the Jan. 25 session was nullified when county council reversed a committee decision to drop construction of a roundabout at Teviotdale from the road capital program.
The removal of the $1.3-million project at the intersection of Wellington Roads 109, 7 and 123 would not have impacted the levy, as it was slated to be funded with $871,000 from development charges and the committee recommended the $429,000 levy portion be redirected to reserves for future capital projects.
Suggestions by some council members to remove the levy portion from the budget entirely were not approved by the committee.
Proposed 2018 expenditures include an estimated 2018 operating budget of $213.6 million and a $33.7-million capital budget.
The 10-year plan projects a $343.2-million capital investment over the next 10 years.
Ten-year capital plan highlights include:
– investment in roads infrastructure and facilities over the next 10 years, including $25 million for facility upgrades to fund the completion of the Drayton public works shop in 2018 and the replacement of the Arthur, Erin, Brucedale and Harriston public works facilities within the decade; and
– continued investment in county-owned social and affordable housing units and closure of phase I and preparation for phase II of the Riversdale landfill site development.
Major capital projects for 2018 include:
– $21.2 million for roads, bridges, culverts and roads-related equipment and facilities;
– $4.5 million in capital repairs and enhancements for social and affordable housing units;
– $100,000 feasibility study for a Continuum of Care model at Wellington Place Lands; and
– $100,000 feasibility study for ambulance facilities.
On the revenue side, the county’s Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) grant was reduced by a 15% for 2018 and is budgeted at $1,774,200, down $313,000 from 2017.
The county’s share of OMPF has dropped by over $2.9 million in annual funding since 2012.
The county staff compliment is expected to rise by 5.9 full-time equivalent positions, at a cost of about $330,000.
Most of the increase represents additional hours or part-time workers in some departments or funded positions, such as a housing community support worker fully-funded by the province.
One unfunded, full-time staff addition included in the budget is an economic development project manager.
The 2018 budget for salaries and benefits for county council members and various council and committee expenses totals $1,080,000, including $762,600 for salaries, wages and benefits.
Councillor Chris White, chair of the administration, finance and human resources committee, said there are three main reasons for the levy increase this year.
“Seventy-five per cent of the reason for that increase is we’ve added money to the winter control budget and we know, talking about safety, how important that is, especially in a winter like this,” said White
He also cited ambulance enhancements and the OMPF reduction as factors.
“Those hits have helped to push the levy up a bit,” White stated.
“Fundamentally, who we are is roads and bridges, beyond the services we deliver for the province. We’re investing $32 million in capital projects this year, which is a phenomenal thing.
“We need to continue to invest in our infrastructure moving forward, so I think that the county has an excellent plan here.”
While he supports the budget, councillor Kelly Linton said the county needs a greater focus on strategic planning.
“I’m just going to maintain again this year I really think that county would be a lot better off developing a strategic plan … It makes it a whole lot easier when we get to this table to determine what the priorities are, because we already have established them,” Linton stated.
However, he added, “I also did maintain I wouldn’t be voting for any budget unless it was close to the rate of inflation and this budget is, so I will be supporting the budget.”
Councillor Andy Lennox echoed Linton’s call for a county-wide strategic plan.
Lennox expressed gratitude “for the fact that since I’ve come to county council … we’ve adopted a debt reserve policy so that we better understand what we’re doing from year to year.”
Linton said he was grateful for the 10-year planning process the county has adopted.
“I think the longer-term planning is an absolutely good thing for us to help see what goes forward,” Lennox stated.
“I’d like to express my gratitude for a comment that councillor Linton made, that this budget is closer to the rate of inflation.”
Lennox added, “I’d also like to express my gratitude for when we have serious deliberations at this table, like we just did with regard to the roundabout at Teviotdale.
“While it may be a little contentious … it absolutely makes my life easier when I’m approached by residents, because I can say that while I may not have been on the prevailing side of the decision, here’s the rationale that other members felt that made it worthwhile. I really believe that is valuable thing.”
Yet Lennox said he struggles with an approach he feels lacks strategic direction.
“The reason I advocate for those type of things is so that we set priorities that we can all agree on, so that we can move forward more fluidly and so the public can understand what it is we are doing with their money,” he stated.
Councillor Don McKay also expressed a desire to see a full-blown strategic plan for the county.
“For eight years … I’ve pushed for a strategic plan,” said McKay. “We haven’t got a full strategic plan coming out of the consult certainly, but hopefully by example we’ve started a strategic plan and we’re in the process of finishing up a strategic plan in solid waste services … and that strategic plan in solid waste services has really helped guide is in what we’re going to do.”
McKay added, “I’m going to support this budget this year, but I just wanted to re-emphasize … that looking at a total county strategic plan would be useful.”
The budget was passed without opposition, the first time that has happened since 2015.
Earlier in the meeting, a vote to reinstate the Teviotdale roundabout project passed by a 10-6 count.
