Municipal Election 2018

I am delighted that I will continue to be at the Council table!  Thank you for your vote of confidence.

I ran for re-election as I wanted to continue serving King residents and businesses as I felt good about my contributions.   Furthermore I knew that there are challenges and opportunities ahead for the Township which require analysis, debate and tough decision making.

Budget 2020

At January 27 Council there is a report recommending approval of the budget which was originally tabled on Jan. 13.  I consider the recommended 2.89% net tax levy increase to be appropriate.  As reviewed in the report our financial profile is in good shape:  our debit is declining and we are far below the maximum borrowing capacity; we are making steady annual contributions to the infrastructure reserves. The draft 2020 budget continues this performance.  The proposed net tax levy increase translates to a forecasted increase of $200.33 on the blended property tax of a home with an assessed value of $850,000.  (In 2020 average assessment increase is 3.2%; for properties which increased more than the average the forecasted blended tax rate increase will be greater than $200.33; if increased less than 3.2% the property tax increase will be less.)  Impact on blended property tax is only a forecast as the levies from Region and Education are not yet finalized.

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Application for new lot & new permissions in hamlet of Laskay

At January 27 Council there is a public meeting for a zoning bylaw amendment to i) enable the creation of a new residential lot and ii) allow a secondary dwelling in an accessory building on Weston Road in the hamlet of Laskay.    As reviewed in the report there are several issues and outstanding questions for this application.

King Station’s Development on Keele

At January 27 Council there is a public meeting for the development on Keele south of King Road.  This is a long awaited project as it has been over five years since the hoarding featuring a  decorative mural was erected; during this time the site has been cleaned of contamination. What is proposed is very much needed in King City:  one and two bedroom apartments.  As reviewed in the report there are still some issues to be resolved and there are some enhancements to improve it but I believe we are at a very point in this project.  The public meeting is the opportunity for the public to identify concerns, ask questions.  As it is a public meeting there is no need to register; if you cannot attend but want to express support or concern you can (more…)

Budget 2020 presentations

At January 13 Council meetings, there were informative presentations about the 2020 budget.  Looking at a powerpoint, alone at home , never is as good as looking at it while the presenter talks; but, if you missed the meetings the powerpoints alone are better than nothing.    The Working Session presentation provided strong evidence that our financial profile is in good shape:  our debit is declining and we are far below the maximum borrowing capacity; we are making steady annual contributions to the infrastructure reserves.  Given that our budget is for $79.6 million ($44.8 for operating expenses and $34.8 for capital) its very satisfying to have this assurance.  In addition the draft net tax levies of the other York Region municipalities was provided:  the draft one for King is 2.89% whereas only Markham and Richmond Hill have lower ones.  (note:  these rates are NOT the blended rates.)

The presentations at Committee by the various Department Leaders gave a quick overview of priorities in each area and background to program change requests.  The details of the program changes are in the budget binder.

You can find links to both the above powerpoints and the budget binder here.

Target is to approve the budget at January 27 Council meeting.  Staff report for it (and the rest of the agenda for that evening will be published, as always, by close of business on January 23.

Public Meeting: for Keele south of King Road

At January 27 Council meeting there is a public meeting regarding the application to build a 4 storey mixed use building including 23 apartments and commercial spaces at grade on west side of Keele south of King Road.  The public meeting is the opportunity for the public to identify questions and to express their point of view about the proposal.  The Staff report on the application will be posted on kings.ca on January 23rd.  Here is the formal notice for the meeting with a few more details.

Budget Review

The 2020 draft operating budget and draft 2020-2022 capital budget has been tabled.  They have been prepared per the direction given by Council that the annual tax levy is not to be greater than 2.9%.  The draft budget proposes 2.89% for 2020 and forecast 2.88% for 2021 and 2.85% for 2022.  On January 17th Council will receiving the budgets and will begin the process of understanding and discussing.  Intent is to approve a budget January 27.  Below I have identified how public can review the budget; public are invited to provide comment either at the Committe of Whole (COW) meetings or to provide feedback to me and/or other members of Council.

Council meetings January 17 are very much focussed on budget.  At 5 pm there is a Committee of Whole (COW) Working Session at which Finance will review in detail the budget; public is able to listen.  At 6 the regular Council and COW will begin; in the latter the sole agenda item is the draft budget.   Here is the Staff report. To see the schedules identified in the Staff report, click here and scroll down.  Staff have also digitized the budget binder which is very comprehensive:  full review of business plans and program changes.   As always public can make deputations during the COW.

At time of writing I have not had adequate time to make comment. I welcome your comments.