The draft budget calls for a municipal tax increase of 5.49% which is higher than what I was hoping for but I can’t claim surprise as previous years have been very tight and I was aware that new spending could not be avoided forever.  I am still working to fully understand some of the drivers for the increase and have questions; accordingly it is premature for me to object or approve. Below are my preliminary comments.  I encourage you to attend the open house November 15 when you ask questions directly to Staff; see details here about it and other opportunities for providing feedback and the timeline for approval.

The budget book is large (460 pages).  Below I have occasionally provided page number where a point can be found (e.g. 39/460) so you could go to it and read more about the subject I have identified.

The draft budget is an increase in the operating budget by $1.8 million.  Of this about 1/3 is due to the program changes calling for 9 new roles. (see 39/460)The justification for these roles is very strong in some cases and I am certain that they are very much needed.  The arguments for a Deputy Clerk, a second zoning examiner and Deputy Chief Building Officer are strong. (You can review each of the program changes by looking at the section in the budget book for that division.  e.g  Deputy Clerk is part of Corporate Services.)  The program changes in the Library are modest in terms of impact on budget (total $41,039) and respond to public request for more access to the libraries i.e. more open hours. About 50% is inflation (see  49/460 for inflation specifics).  The other significant contributor to the $1,877817 increase in the operating budget is growth impact which I don’t fully understand

 

The budget book identifies program changes and capital projects which are not being funded.  (see 40/460).  I think its unfortunate to not be funding weekend park staff hours.Our parks are well used during the weekends; I think we should have service 7 days a week for monitoring and cleaning amenities as required; $26,00 would be well spent. (107/460). As I know of frustrations associated with renters accessing facilities I would like to see the enhancements to security controls (298/460) but cost is too much. As the speed of traffic is an ongoing concern, across the Township I would like to see the study for automated speed enforcement but it costs $100,000. There are others I can see the value but agree that they are not a priority.

 

I am concerned about a couple projects  showing on the unfunded list (40/460) as I believe there needs to be greater assessment and consultation before they are even considered for funding  I am referring to paving gravel trails in urban areas and using straight salt on our urban roadways.  I have been a supporter and advocate of paving identified “commuter trails” as part of our Active Transportation Strategy; we need to assess carefully which additional trails should be paved.  To use straight salt I would want to see a robust environmental assessment as to the impact on our water courses.

At 310/460 recommended  fees and charges for 2024 are identified.  As we are on track to have the Township Wide Recreational Centre open by fall 2024 I want to point out that fees for aquatics are now included starting at 313/460.   One of the assumptions in creating the budget is that there will be incremental changes in user fees and charges for 2024 based on an annual increase within a range of 1% – 2.5%, unless unique circumstances warranted alternate consideration.

Come to the open house Wednesday, November 15 6-8 pm at the Municipal Centre; there you can learn more and ask questions directly to Staff.  The budget will be on the Nov. 27 Council agenda.