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Huron-Kinloss council turns down draft budget The recent township budget meeting saw big numbers thrown around, however council rejected them, telling staff to find ways to bring what would have added 18 per cent increase to the 2008 coffers down to a more reasonable figure. That said, it could be another month or two before the budget is finalized. After the department heads presented council with their “wish lists,” ratepayers would have seen a whopping 18 per cent increase had council agreed. Obviously totally unacceptable, staff was told to find cuts and bring it back to council. The first draft showed the total estimated 2008 revenue at $5,207,347.68, the estimated 2008 expenditure at $8,876,551.97, leaving a 2008 deficit of $3,669,204.29, to be raised from taxation. Many figures, such as policing costs, conservation authority costs and grants for infrastructure are still unknown, so numbers will change. The next budget meeting will be held in March. It has been suggested by ratepayers that summer staff could be shared more fairly across the township, saying for example that employees hired to look after township gardens, parks and flowers, could also be used to help keep the beaches clear of phragmitis and algae. They say that rather than to water flower boxes daily, they could do it every other day and work along the lakeshore or when needed. Ratepayers hope to see cuts in that direction, rather than seeing a return of cutting the roads budget again. Pre-budget approvals have caused shortages as well, as it has in other years. Many staff requests have been green-lighted by council for things such as $7,000 requested by an area snowmobile club, brought forward by staff to repair the old CN rail bridge in Lucknow, so it could be used as part of their trail system. It is not known if there is much grant money left available for environmental projects, parks, etc. Much of the Trillium Foundation grants have been earmarked for the $230,000 Lewis Park project in Ripley, the Lucknow Library renovations and other such worthy projects. A $30,000 grant from Suncor was also put towards the park. Those concerned with the environment were disappointed that some of the Trillium Foundation grant money was not allotted to help the Pine River Watershed Initiative Network clean up the township’s rivers and streams. This is not the first time council and staff have been under fire when struggling with budgets and the difficult task of keeping numbers resonable. Last year, Huron-Kinloss residents were upset with what many thought was an unnecessarily large hike of 8.7 per cent. Council informally decided on the 2007, 8.7 per-cent increase at a special meeting held in Ripley on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 when they also informally decided to “agreed in principal” to a seven per cent increase each year, for the following three years. Those who attended the meeting were not impressed. Several councilors felt strongly that the agreement was excessive. Ratepayers were appalled. Councillor Anne Eadie said she did some calculating at home, “At the present rate of seven per cent, we’re doubling taxes every ten years.” Mayor Mitch Twolan said that however said at the meeting that “council could not bind itself to 7 per cent increases.” Ironically, at the April 2007 meeting, Eadie said that she would like to bring forward a motion that would give staff clear direction to bring forward a proposal next year (2008) 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.” That motion apparently did not go through, considering 18 per cent was on the 2008 budget table. Last year, some residents actually saw a decrease in their tax bill, however those west of Highway 21 saw steep increases. Those west of Highway 21 contribute about 70 per cent of the total tax revenues for the township. As well, $55 is added to their bills, (as others in the township without sewers) for the septic reinspection program. Many hope that once all systems in the township are inspected and the “45-gallon drums” are replaced with proper systems, there will be no need to continue the program. While Last year saw an 8.7 increase in Huron-Kinloss, Kincardine saw 3-4 per cent, Collingwood, 4 per cent, Kitchener/Waterloo, 3-4 per cent, Saugeen Shores, 4 per cent, Wassaga 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 saw about 3-4 per cent increase. Municipal taxes aren’t the only thing on the rise. In the past, council has taken the county budget into consideration before making decisions. Simply said, if the county has a large hike, the township did its best to keep the municipal portion to a minimum. This year, 2008, Bruce County was looking at a 10 per cent hike, or 36.8 million. That number was considered unacceptable and county staff was told to do some cost cutting as well. It is unknown at this time what increase, if any, will be added to the education portion of property tax bills. See more on last year’s 2007 budget by clicking below Huron-Kinloss budget passes at 8.7 per cent Huron-Kinloss council agrees to 8.7 tax increase
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