Residents here could face a grim new year based on preliminary budget forecasts.
In short, residents could face a 32 per cent hike in local taxes – however that remains unlikely.
Initial budget meetings generally are far higher than the final amounts, but it was enough to cause concern at the Dec. 5 budget session.
Last year, Erin’s local share of taxes rose over 8%, and this year council anticipates that amount could be higher.
Councillors here are celebrating the season with a series of budget meetings to prepare for 2013.
Meeting dates
In late November, the timing of those meetings caused a bit of concern as councillor Barb Tocher noted meetings were scheduled at 5pm instead of 6pm.
“As council is aware I would be unable to attend at that hour.”
Town CAO Frank Miele said the reason was that it would allow ample time to discuss the budget while staff was available.
He said that starting early seemed appropriate, but it would be a council decision.
Tocher said “because the budget is the largest policy statement council makes for the year, I would hate to miss 25 per cent of those discussions.”
Members of council had no objection.
The other question related to the Dec. 12 meeting seeking public input on the budget.
Tocher stated that Erin is very much a bedroom community and had concern that a person working in the city might not be able to attend a 6pm meeting.
“Perhaps it might be more appropriate to have that meeting at 7pm instead of 6pm.”
Mayor Lou Maieron asked for clarification.
“Are we making a presentation to the public and asking for input?”
Miele said staff would be making a 20-minute presentation, at which time public input would be sought on any of the issues presented.
He also had no issue with the meeting being held at 7pm.
Tocher’s next question was that council would not meet again about the budget until Jan. 8.
“How are we going to digest the input from the public and how are we going to look at it and make conscious decisions based on that input.”
She then asked whether the draft budget will be posted on the town’s website for residents.
Meile said the draft budget will be on the town’s website as of Nov. 29.
“The public who is interested has from Nov. 29 to Dec. 12 to make their concerns known,” Mayor Lou Maieron said.
He added “the City of Guelph has a wonderful process. Instead of a free-for-all, if people have concerns – a five minute delegation is allowed to come forward to speak to a specific item.”
Tocher believed it was a great idea.
Maieron added that having time between Nov. 29 and Dec. 12 would give people sufficient time to prepare for the public input meeting.
Miele would chair that particular meeting since it would be staff making the presentations.
Maieron said council would havetime between Dec. 12 to the Jan. 8 budget meeting to consider those comments.
“On the 8th we have a regular meeting to deliberate it.”
He said if council does not come to a decision on Jan. 8 an additional budget meeting can be held.
