By Cecilia Nasmith
Not many people pay their municipal taxes with a smile, but residents of Alnwick-Haldimand should still be glad to hear that council has passed a zero-increase municipal budget at their Dec. 3 virtual council meeting.
The budget document prepare by deputy CAO and manager of finance Carol James reflected several months of work.
Department heads received working papers in early September, followed by early-October budget meetings with these department heads. Two days of late-October review tackled the budget in such areas as revenues, administration, health and safety, emergency services, building and bylaw, planning, animal control and livestock, environment and conservation, Roseneath revitalization, public works, parks and recreation, cemeteries, heritage, library and police services board. These meetings were held in person with appropriate safety protocols, with members of the public invited to attend virtually.
Following input, changes were made that resulted in a budget presented – and passed – on Dec. 3.
Though the tax-rate increase is zero, the budget has increased by 1.85% - which is equal to the growth in assessment.
Because the Ontario Cost of Living Allowance increase was zero as of October, no cost-of-living wage increases will be made.
The budget document set revenues at minus $3-million and expenses at $9.6-million, leaving $6.6-million to be raised in taxes.
Almost half of your 2021 Alnwick-Haldimand tax dollar – 42.26% - goes for public works. Beyond that, the dollar breaks down to 18.18% for protective services, 13.75% for governance and administration, 11.28% for fire and emergency planning, 6.2% for parks and recreation (including the arena), 3.83% for the library system, 2.38% for planning, 1.12% for the community centres and several items that come in under 1% - heritage, cemeteries, Roseneath revitalization, building and bylaw.
Not counting county and education taxes, the average township assessment of a residential property is $310,000, which works out to township taxes of $1,693.76. This funds services under the umbrellas of governance and administration ($232.84), fire and emergency planning ($190.99), parks and recreation ($104.97), library ($64.89), community centres ($19.02), heritage (36 cents), cemeteries ($2.29), planning ($40.26), protective services ($307.86), building and bylaw ($14.57),
Again, public works, bridges and culverts ($715.71) comprise the biggest chunk, but the numbers associated with these services are significant – 273 km. of paved and surface-treated roads, 157 km. of gravel roads, 26 major culverts, 20 bridges, maintenance of 1,434 road signs, winter-control services for 430 km. of road, two road depots, three sand domes, as well as road-side mowing, grading of gravel roads and the vehicular fleet's fuel, repairs and maintenance.
Mayor Gail Latchford said council was very pleased to be able to avoid any increases, and expects township residents will feel the same.
Final property tax information will be available once county and school taxes can be factored in.
