On Feb. 17 Puslinch councillors approved the township’s 2016 operating and capital budget and a 2.8% tax increase.
For the median Puslinch residence assessed at $614,000, the increase represents a $28 increase over 2015 local taxes. The increase per $100,000 of assessment is approximately $4.54.
Taking into account Wellington County’s 2016 approved budget and the current education tax rate, the blended tax increase for the median Puslinch residence is 2.9% or $173.
“Puslinch council has passed a responsible budget that continues to focus on our key priorities,” Mayor Dennis Lever stated last week.
Highlights in the 2016 budget include:
– over $1.1 million spent on roads and bridges “to maintain a safe and efficient transportation network across the township”;
– improvements to Calfass Road, Victoria Road, Watson Road (from Maltby to Wellington Road 34), and Leslie Road (Victoria Road to Highway 6);
– a comprehensive zoning bylaw review, $80,000;
– a quint (dual engine and ladder) truck for the fire department, $300,000; and
– replacement of the septic system at the municipal office, $80,000.
Director of finance/treasurer Paul Creamer noted changes were made following a meeting of council and township staff on Feb. 3, including:
– traffic calming – Streetscaping Morriston – move funding of $33,000 for Phase 2 to 2017, resulting in a decrease to the 2016 levy of $31,680 ($1,320 was to be funded through development charges); and
– septic system upgrade – fund $50,000 of the $80,000 project from the building reserve fund.
The proposal before council on Feb. 17 originally included a budget increase of 2.4%, but a request from councillor Matthew Bulmer (and later adopted by council) bumped that figure up to 2.8% to deal with potential issues at the Optimist Recreation Centre (ORC) in Aberfoyle.
Bulmer noted that later in the meeting council would be dealing with a report regarding an ORC noise study.
He suggested that since the budget report allows for a little bit more space, council could put something in reserves or set aside something to offset whatever decision is made on possible solutions to the ice pad and potential noise buffering.
“That way it would not fall fully onto next year’s budget,” Bulmer said, who added his motion was intended to provide some latitude.
Lever commented there are other potential options at the ORC such as turning the compressor off at night – when possible.
As to the amount set aside, Lever suggested Bulmer could offer a specific number of dollars, or pick a levy percentage increase and allow the finance director to calculate how much would be generated.
Bulmer said “council had wanted a budget increase of less than 3% and now we are well under that.” His motion request was to put the amount at 2.8% and dedicate the difference to reserves.
Council voted unanimously to make the change.
