Puslinch Township council approved its 2013 operating and capital budget on April 17, resulting in a tax increase of 3.48 per cent.
Taking into account Wellington County’s 2013 approved budget, the blended tax impact for a Puslinch residence valued at $441,000 is 3.1% or $140.
“This year, the township budget process faced significant new challenges,” said Mayor Dennis Lever.
“The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) made a change to the assessed value of local gravel pits, which resulted in the loss of property tax revenue. We also saw a reduction in funding from the Government of Ontario through their partnership fund. These changes affected the budget.”
Lever commented the township portion of the taxes will go up $26 while the county portion will rise by $116. The education portion of the tax bill would actually drop by $2, Lever said.
“Puslinch council has passed a responsible budget that accommodates the MPAC changes and continues to focus on key priorities,” said Lever.
Budget highlights include over $1 million on roads projects, including work on Gore Road and Victoria Road.
In addition, the township is placing $100,000 in reserves for future projects and equipment.
This is the reserve originally set aside for fire and roads equipment. Originally the intent was to include $100,000 for fire equipment and $100,000 for roads equipment.
That has been reduced by 50% to accommodate challenges within the budget, Lever explained.
“We will be instituting a new accessible website and some technology upgrades in the township.”
Lever added, “As part of the budget, we will be adding a treasurer to the township staff. This will be a new position.”
The municipality has also set aside $125,000 for future gravel pit assessment appeal decisions. Some local groups will also feel the impact of council’s budget.
“Grants to community groups have been reduced by 50%. Those groups who received money last year will be getting 50% of what they got last year.”
Lever added the budget also includes a 1.75% change to the salary grid for council and staff.
Fixed salary for councillors
However, Lever noted that council also voted to switch to a fixed salary for the mayor and councillors. He said the cost is essentially the same as what was paid in 2012.
A township councillor will now be paid $15,000 per year, but there will be no additional money for meetings or conferences unless appointed to by an outside agency which compensates them separately. The mayor will receive $22,000.
Lever said that as part of that decision, the CAO was directed to look at a compensation analysis for council. The idea is that report will be presented to council in 2014 and would affect the council following the next municipal election.
