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Huron-Kinloss budget passes at 8.7 per cent After months of discussion and thought, council for Huron-Kinloss passed the 2007 budget on April 16 in Ripley in a recorded vote. Feelings were mixed however, both with members of council and those in attendance. In the end, three councillors and the deputy mayor voted in favour of the budget, two against. Councillors Anne Eadie and Don Murray felt that there were savings to be found to bring the increase down, however other councillors believed the increase was necessary, as the cost of running the township has increased in the past year. Eadie and Murray also felt that a proposed “agreement in principal,” brought forward on April 10 was excessive. The proposal brought forward called for a 10 per cent hike, followed by seven per cent hikes until council’s term was up. At that meeting, the 2007 hike was brought down from 10, to 8.7. “I think we all want what’s best for Huron-Kinloss, but I can’t even think about doubling taxes every 7-10-years,” she said. “We have to tell them to look for savings anywhere they can.” Eadie said that she would like to bring forward a motion that would give staff clear direction to bring forward a proposal next year for a 3-4 per cent increase maximum. Mayor Mitch Twolan told Eadie that a motion could be brought forward at the next meeting. “Let’s deal with the budget tonight.” “I wish it were five per cent lower,” said Murray. Councillor Jim Hanna said that it’s time for people to pressure their MPP’s about the downloading of services, such as land ambulances and social services. (Items like these, which should be paid for by the province, are cutting into municipal budgets, which take much needed cash from roads, parks and other services provided by the township.) “It’s not right to go from four, to 8.7 per cent,” said Murray. Twolan then asked for a vote. “I want it recorded,” said Eadie. The budget passed with Deputy Mayor Wilf Gamble, Councillors Abbott, Hanna and Elliott in favour and Councillors Eadie and Murray against. Council then discussed a letter from the presidents of four resident’s associations in the township, upset with the originally proposed 10 per cent hike. They questioned among other things, why, in a year when inflation is up about 1.5 per cent and “salaries and pensions are not rising at about more than 2-3 per cent,” how such an increase is justified. (The letter was written before council had decided to revise the budget from a 10 per cent increase to 8.7) The residents compared budget increases with other municipalities, much like what was done by the township when the budget was released. The findings however, were somewhat different, as the residents used figures from other parts of the province while the township used only those within Bruce County. They quoted both estimated and actual budget numbers, released by other communities in Ontario, which indicate many communities, both big and small, had less of an increases than ratepayers in Huron-Kinloss. (Kincardine, 3-4 per cent, Collingwood, 4 per cent, Kitchener/Waterloo, 3-4 per cent, Saugeen Shores, 4 per cent, Wasaga Beach, 3.4 per cent, Timmins, 3.98 per cent, Toronto, 3.8 per cent and Meaford, who saw no increase.) Neighbouring Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Township is looking at an estimated three per cent increase. The township’s response however, said that in Bruce County, the township is still paying lower taxes than most, in spite of the increase. Ratepayers in South Bruce for example pay $1,226 for the municipality’s share of the taxes on a home worth $200,000. Those in Arran-Elderslie pay $1,188 on the same home. Huron-Kinloss was on the low end of the scale, paying $746, second only to Northern Bruce Peninsula, who pay the least, $699. They also mentioned that the original budget proposal had been brought down from 10, to 8.7 per cent. The resident’s said that they support the idea of user fees, especially in regards to the septic reinspection program and that they understand that operating costs can not be reduced significantly. The did however ask that the township try to put money aside each year for large capital expenses and purchases, something council has discussed in the past and is planning on doing more of in the future, when possible. The 2007 budget for example, puts money into reserves to go towards the purchase of a new truck, needed by public works for road maintenance, etc. Another resident was on hand to voice his concerns. He was upset with the 8.7 increase and the proposed “7, 7 and 7,” brought forward in the “agreement in principle” at the April 10, special budget meeting. Twolan said that not all the facts are straight with the 7, 7 and 7 per cent. “I don’t know where you got that, but this council can not bind itself to 7 per cent,” he said. Resident Brian Watt commented, “Ya, it could be more.” This did not sit will with Hanna, “We have the second lowest in the country,” he said. “We’re not having an argument here, we are having dialog,” said Twolan. The man asked how council could agree to resurface the parking lot at the Ripley Huron Community Centre when there are roads that need to be paved. “I believe there are places to cut. This is a tremendous increase, especially for young people.” “We haven’t agreed to that yet,” said Hanna. “The township is spending responsibly.” He said that residents should talk to the area’s MPP and MP about reducing it’s downloading of expenses. The downloading of provincial expenses drastically reduces the amount of services the township can provide, as it takes property tax money, meant to run the township and uses it to subsidies provincial programs. Eadie agreed that downloading is a major problem, adding that she had struggled with the budget. “Taxes will double in 7-10 years.” “We’ve struggled a long time over this,” said Twolan. “When we hand over this corporation to the next council, it’s going to be in good shape.” Here’s how it boils down for the Huron-Kinloss portion of your municipal tax bill. In 2006, residential homes paid $3.73 for each $1,000 their home was worth. A home worth $200,000 paid about $746 for the Huron-Kinloss portion of their tax bill. In 2007, the additional 8.7 per cent brings it to about $4.06 for each $1,000. This adds up to about $812 for the same home. Adding in the county portion of the tax bill, (up by five per cent this year) and the education portion, (which is unchanged), Huron-Kinloss residents will pay $11.17 in 2007 for each $1,000 their home is worth. That comes to about $2,234. In 2006, that figure was $10.64 on every $1,000, coming to about $2,128 total, a difference of $106. Homes on municipal water will pay $220, up from $194 in 2006. This is due in large to the many changes and demands put on municipalities by the provincial government. Street lighting charges apply to some areas as well. (Ripley, $16.31, Whitechurch, $28.13, Kinlough, $23.28, Lucknow, $31.95, Plan M28, $34.31) Those in Lucknow will pay $190 for sanitary sewers. (According to the township website April 18, 2007) Those on septic systems will pay $55 for the septic re-inspection program. The proposed “agreement in principle” on future increases, suggested at the April 10 meeting, was not brought forward as a motion. |
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