Mapleton Council passed a 2013 budget requiring a total tax levy of just over $4 million at its regular meeting on April 9.
In 2012, the municipality raised $3.56 million in taxation. That translates into an additional $437,000 or 12.5 per cent in the total levy.
All told, the township will spend just over $7 million in 2013, offset by revenues of about $3 million.
For an average single-family dwelling assessed at $285,000 in 2012 township taxes will increase by $95 or 9.4% this year, from $1,002 to $1,097.
When Wellington County and school board taxes are factored in, that same property owner would see their total tax bill rise by $122, from $3,521 to $3,644. Part of the increase is attributed to reassessment carried out in 2013 by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, which now values that $285,000 property at $290,000.
Mayor Bruce Whale said the budget, which includes $275,000 for work on bridges and culverts, is a step toward addressing a number of infrastructure issues in the township. The capital budget also includes $70,000 for upgrades to the Drayton Fire Hall to accommodate the addition of EMS services and $10,000 for new signs at several entry points to the township.
“We’re not going to accomplish everything that we want by any means, but I believe we’ve given our public works department something to work with,” said Whale.
Opposed to increase
The increase was too high for councillor Mike Downey, the lone council member to oppose the budget bylaw in a recorded vote. Downey told the Community News he voted against the budget because he felt a 9.5 per cent increase to an individual taxpayer was simply too high.
While he declined to offer specifics about what he would cut, Downey said, “I think there are efficiencies that can be found without just jacking up what you charge the people all the time.”
In her report to council, CAO Patty Sinnamon noted the tax rate was adjusted downward from figures presented at the public budget open house on April 2, after an error was found in the PMD arena budget.
Sinnamon said the budget includes a $100,000 transfer from reserves, which could be put toward remediation of mould and water problems at the municipal administration centre. Estimates for the cost of that project are not yet available. She said the township may also be able to use about $50,000 budgeted for dredging of the Conestogo River through Drayton, if it turns out the money is not needed for that project.
Sinammon noted the budget was passed a month earlier than in 2012, despite the fact the township has been operating without a director of finance since last August.
“I want to commend staff and department heads for getting their information in and getting the budget through a month ahead of last year,” she stated.
