Georgian Bluffs council has received its draft 2022 budget, featuring a 3.22 per cent tax increase.
During a special council meeting on Feb. 22, a draft budget was presented and the proposed tax increase would close the average home assessed at $290,000 and additional $54.05.
Mayor Dwight Burley says the tax increase is needed.
“We cannot run the municipality on zero per cent increase, there has to be an increase unfortunately, that is just the way things are,” says Burley.
The draft budget made comparisons to surrounding municipalities with homes assessed at $290,000.
The draft budget proposed an operating budget of over $12.5 million and a capital of over $7.9 million, coming to a total budget of just under $20.5 million.
Some of the major expenses in the capital budget include:
-nearly $1.7 million to address the building condition items and 10 year capital plan for the Kemble Community Centre
-$423,000 for road surface treatment
-$217,000 for repairs and maintenance at the Derby Community Centre
-$150,000 for the Bridge Condition Assessment
-$85,000 for the Master Stormwater Management Plan for East Linton
-$75,000 for the Fire Master Service Plan
-$35,000 for the Community Improvement Plan
A proposed 2.2 per cent salary increase for council is also included in the draft as per the 2018 Council Renumeration Policy.
Burley says he thinks staff proposed a very good first go at the 2022 budget.
“It shows we are trying to move the township forward and I think it is a very responsive budget,” says Burley.
Burley adds they faced a contentious issue when discussing the budget on how to use the proceeds from the sale of the Wiarton-Keppel International Airport.
Burley says it is his opinion, and believes it is that of other councillors as well, they should spread out the proceeds and to not devote all of it to the significant reconstruction project of Elm Street, which was included in the budget of costing $3 million.
The next steps of the budget process will have staff return to council in March after making any changes on the proposed budget, with the budget set to be passed in April.
