Near final draft budget raises tax levy over eight per cent
Posted January
16, 2013
New Tecumseth councillors will present a budget tonight for the
public's input that proposes to raise the average property tax bill for
municipal purposes by $123 over last year, which overall will generate
$23 million from taxation, which is $1.7 million or 8.36 per cent above
2012. However, when the estimated County and education (which are actually
projected to decrease on average) portions are included, the total tax
bill will settle in about $115 or 3.7 per cent more than last year.
The draft budget, which is near its final version, proposes to spend
approximately $30 million in 2013, nearly 11 per cent over last year. It is one of the highest municipal tax increases in several years, and sets a new high mark for expenditures. Including water and wastewater debenture, the budget will require over $6 million in 2013 to service debt.
In addition to an estimated $607,000 increase in OPP costs over last
year, there's also a $303,000 inclusion of funds to hire six full-time
firefighters effective in June. However, that's still up for discussion
as reportedly some councillors not completely sold on its merits and
impacts on the current structure.
At a budget working session last night, New Tecumseth council agreed to
continue its annual debenture program for road projects. Eliminated
from draft is the 13th Line from Tottenham Road to the CPR tracks which
was estimated at $752,400.
Moved "above the line" to be debentured, are the following:
11th line: 20th SR east to Town limit: $153,780;
9th line: 10th to 15th SR $329,450; and
15th SR: 2nd to 3rd line $312,950.
Additionally, work the Alliston sewage plant, which includes odor
controls, at a cost of $2 million will be funded by DCs, or in case of
a shortfall, will be debentured and repaid from DCs when available.
Cut from the budget was a $68,086 expenditure to construct a steam room
at the Tottenham Community Centre; Forestry program a reduction of
$17,000. This is the subsidy provided to private landowners for a tree program.
A curtain divider for the NTRC fieldhouse, will have its $40,000 estimated cost funded by HEC
reserve, as will this years portion of the Alliston Memorial Arena
upgrades, of $62,500. And, $25,000 was added for playfield signage.
Tonight's public input session begins at 7 pm at the fire hall on
Church Street South in Alliston.
