Joining the list of municipalities that have set their 2021 budgets, Port Hope announces that milestone from their Dec. 15 council meeting.
The approved budget includes an estimated 1.6% increase to the blended tax bills (municipal, school board, and Northumberland County taxes). This represents a $66 annual municipal tax increase for a typical existing residential property in the Urban Area and an $86 annual municipal tax increase for a typical existing Rural Area residential property. It also incorporates the 10-year tax allocation phase-in adjustment.
Mayor Bob Sanderson acknowledged the fiscal challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic that staff and councillors contended with.
“During the budget meetings, council maintained a fiscally responsible approach in an effort to keep the levy increase as low as possible, while advancing our strategic priorities and enhancing the level of service expected by our residents,” Sanderson said.
The press release listed several highlights.
The $2.8-million in Strategic Plan advancements includes a new playground at Wladyka Park, $1.3-million towards the development of a new Seniors Centre (pending approval of Federal funding), trail paving, affordable housing considerations (including as part of Zoning By-law and Official Plan Reviews) and a municipal service delivery review.
There was $1.2-million in additional items of community interest, including rural road resurfacing, the design of the Rose Glen Road reconstruction project, support for municipal communications, pedestrian-crosswalks implementation and increased tree planting throughout the community.
The $105,000 in new funding for additional council initiatives can be applied at council's discretion to further advance strategic initiatives throughout 2021.
Sanderson said the budget closely aligns with the wishes and needs of the community, with $4.2-million dedicated to projects, initiatives and services the community has requested both through the 2019 strategic planning process and throughout the proposed 2021 budget consultation process.
“It ensures that our priority projects are moving forward to benefit the community as a whole,” the mayor stated.
The Finance Committee deliberated on Dec. 7 and 8 in a publicly advertised meeting, which was conducted over Zoom video conference and live-streamed on YouTube.
A community consultation process was also undertaken as part of the budgeting process and comments from the public were considered by council and staff prior to final approval of the 2021 Budget.
The 2021 Operating and Capital budgets, which include the Library and Police budgets, and the budget-development documents are available at porthope.ca/budget.
