Finance director Mike Givens gave councillors some general numbers on the township’s financial outlook on Oct. 11, and like most municipalities, Mapleton is facing challenges.
“Grants continue to sink,” Givens said. “We continue to have expenses.”
He provided figures from 2008 through 2011. He noted the 2011 figures are based on budget projections.
The total take in taxes in 2008 was $2.8 million (all figures rounded off) and they climbed to $3.25 million this year.
Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) grants climbed slightly for the township, from $1.2 million in 2008 to $1.24 million this year.
But other grants, dropped from $2.7 million to $808,000 in 2011. Township reserves went from $3.8 million in 2008 down to $1.8 in 2011. The reserve fund balance dropped over the four years from $821,000 to $706,000.
Meanwhile, operating expenses climbed. Salaries and wages were $1.55 million in 2008 and they are now $1.8 million. Benefits during that period climbed from $263,000 to $309,000. Total operating expenses went from $2.97 million in 2008 to $3.34 million this year.
Givens told council the township owns $46 million worth of buildings and equipment, but they continue to depreciate at a rate of about $4 million each year.
“That’s less than our capital,” he said.
He predicted, “It’s going to be tough over the next four years doing capital projects without a major impact on taxes.”
He said of other municipalities, “Some are worse off than us.”
Councillor Mike Downey said of the report, “It’s just a reality. There are no grants and reserves are down.”
Whale said of the OMPF grants, “It was never a guarantee. We hope its lasts.”
Neighbouring municipalities such as Centre Wellington have seen those OMPF grants slashed by hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past few years.
