Township to implement five-year budgeting

Council has directed the township’s director of finance to prepare a five-year operating and capital budget.

Councillor Neil Driscoll initiated a motion, approved at the at the April 22 Mapleton council meeting, in response to frustrations with the budget process.

“It’s just so hard when you go through a budget process and you’re halfway through and we need a new truck, or someone comes in (to complain) and we need to fix a road,” said Driscoll, who noted the township has needs studies for local roads and bridges at its disposal to help formulate longer-term plans.

CAO Patty Sinnamon pointed out the township already maintains a list of future capital priorities, “but there is no plan as to how they are going to be funded.”

Finance director Yufang Du  agreed the plan would make budgeting easier for council.

“This makes sense - and if we can get it to 10 years all the better,” said Mayor Bruce Whale.