WHITEWATER REGION — It’s expected the 2018 budget for the Township of Whitewater Region will be approved prior to the end of 2017.
Treasurer Marsha Hawthorne said Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay was hopeful of having next year’s budget approved prior to the end of 2017.
The operating, capital, and user fees for water and wastewater budgets will be passed before the year’s end, she said.
“This will allow the managers to prepare work plans and get their capital works projects started at the start of the new year,” Ms. Hawthorne.
What this will mean is extra meetings in November, she said. The budget schedule is special meetings on Oct. 25, Nov. 22 and Nov. 29. Regular meeting discussions will be held on Nov. 22, Nov. 29 and Dec. 20.
New for this year is starting the 2018 budget off with a zero deficit and surplus, Ms. Hawthorne said, explaining, since the auditors don’t come to the office until February and their report isn’t ready until April, any surplus or deficit won’t be known.
Councillor Cathy Regier, chair of the corporate services committee, said, “I know it looks aggressive, but I think it’s something a lot of us have often thought of doing and I’m looking forward do doing this.
“I think it will be very beneficial to all of us.”
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin questioned if water rates would be reviewed prior to the budget. He noted there were some concerns regarding fees, such as water meters.
CAO Tremblay noted water rates have not included capital works projects in the past, and with a study being undertaken this year to review the water rates with the capital works projects included, there will not be a separate review of the water rates.
Physical services manager Janet Collins agreed. In order to ensure the proper water rates are applied, the department needs to get a “good concept of the assets and replacement costs,” which hasn’t been done in the past.
As for using water meters, Mayor Hal Johnson said after the meeting, if home owners want to install them, it will be at their cost and will only be used for personal information, such as how much water is being used. The current use of a flat rate will continue, he said.
