PEMBROKE — County of Renfrew Warden Peter Emon and Councillor Jennifer Murphy, Chair of the County’s finance and administration committee, led the annual County of Renfrew Budget Workshop. The pair commended elected officials and County staff on the delivery of the 2016 budget which contains a tax levy increase to existing ratepayers of three per cent.
At the September session, County Council gave clear direction to the CAO and staff on how they would like the first draft of the budget prepared in order to minimize the financial impact on Renfrew County residents. Warden Peter Emon shared this comment on the budget workshop, “I wish to express my appreciation to members of County Council for their deliberation of the detailed budget from senior management and the various Standing Committees of County Council and the anticipated approval of a fiscally responsible County of Renfrew budget for 2016. With a commitment to a ten year long term financial plan we have set a direction for Council to strategically finance our Asset Management Plan. I congratulate Mr. Jim Hutton, CAO, Mr. Kutschke, Treasurer and his Finance Department, Directors and their teams for a responsible and forward looking approach to the 2016 County of Renfrew budget.”
Some of the key highlights of this year’s budget include:
• annual levy increase of only 3%
• restriction in the use of that levy increase to 1.8% for operating expenses
• utilization of the 2.25% weighted current value assessment (CVA) growth for transfer into the Infrastructure Renewal Reserve for future capital works
• new debt issued for projects in excess of $3 million
Of special note, staff provided an update to the 10 year asset management plan indicating that the entire $215 million asset renewal program can be fully funded over the next 10 year planning horizon, provided that Council adheres to the principles of the Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP). The plan calls for holding the annual tax increase to 3.0%, as one of its key principles.
Chair Coun. Murphy commended County of Renfrew elected and staff on their efforts to find savings within their respective areas of the budget.
She said, “Counnty Council and staff worked efficiently and effectively to ensure that the County of Renfrew continues to provide quality services to our community. The 2016 budget was prepared with a focus on quality assurance, efficiency, transparency; and affordability being the key points in the decision making process.”
A recommendation for the 2016 budget to be officially adopted as a By-law will be made at the next session of County Council scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 27.
The County of Renfrew is an Upper Tier Municipality providing a wide range of services across the largest geographic area of any municipality in Ontario.
