WHITEWATER REGION — An opportunity to review Whitewater Region’s budget before it is passed next month is occurring Wednesday, Dec. 6 during a public meeting.
During last night’s special council meeting to review draft budgets, council voted in favour of wanting a 1.5 percent tax increase; a five percent increase to sewer rates in Cobden; a five percent increase to water rates in Beachburg; and no increase to water rates in Cobden or Haley Station.
This vote is only on the draft budget, it can change prior to the passing of the official bylaw, hopefully, on December 20. This was the third meeting to discuss proposed budgets.
A 1.5 percent levy increase means finding an additional $72,952 to balance the budget.
The proposed budget revenues are $10,416,731 while the proposed expenditures are $10,489,683.
This is $1.281 million more than 2017’s budget.
At this meeting, council reviewed the proposed operating, revenue and capital budget. This proposed budget was a follow-up to an earlier meeting where all the wants were listed. This proposed budget is with the changes required so the expenses and revenues are closer together.
The revised proposed department budgets are: council $223,310; administration $1,025,286; administration building $69,671; fire $1,167,397; police $1,080,647; emergency $26,500; building $125,808; animal control $18,820; enforcement $7,500; lottery $200; planning $77,482; roads $4,131,828; street lighting; $153,050; crossing guards $28,400; airport $16,646; recycling $185,523; landfill waste $160,150; landfill Cobden $18,575; landfill Westmeath $10,225; landfill Ross $311,962; parks $116,434; tourist booth $30,693; beach $19,400; boat launches $4,000; tourism $83,000; Cobden arena $231,876; Beachburg arena $226,926; Westmeath arena $143,954; health services $1,985; library$63,969; recreation $198,214; museum $8,942; industrial park $90,520; drainage $187,350 and transfer to reserves $243,440.
Changes from the original draft budget
In the administration department, the village boundary review has been delayed until 2019, which saved $25,000.
In the physical services department, Simpson Street and Hume Street had work decreased by 50 percent, a total savings of $57,500. Deleted off the budget was Greenway Drive, a savings of $177,500; $15,000 off the Truelove-John-Crawford streets work; Olmstead-Jeffrey Lake Road engineering of $167,000 was deleted, as was the $32,000 Mineview garage salt shed; the $20,000 worth of work on Sturgeons Mountain Road; and $36,500 from McGonegal Road, rescheduled to 2019. The gravel budget is now $120,000, decreased by $30,000.
In the fire department budget, due to the hiring of a new fire chief, inspections were decreased by $5,000; the air wave repairs and maintenance were decreased to $11,100 from $29,000; however, the miscellaneous line was increased from $3,000 to $20,900. An additional $8,000 was added to fire reserves.
The library grant increased to $61,886, a total of $10,000 more.
Water and Sewer proposed budgets
The water budget for Cobden is $416,643 with no rate increase; $370,183 for Beachburg with a five percent increase and $57,734 for Haley Station with no rate increase.
Therefore, residential rates in Cobden will remain at $178,52 per quarter; increase to $172.36 per quarter in Beachburg, an increase of $8.21; and Haley Station ratepayers continue to pay $439.59.
There are 455 water rate users in Cobden, with a breakdown showing 378 residential units; 29 small commercial; 15 medium commercial; nine high commercial, 21 multi-residential and four metered.
In Beachburg, there are 447 users – 409 residential; 17 small commercial; seven medium commercial; four high commercial and 10 multi-residential.
In Haley Station, there are 33 residential users.
Public meeting
Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay said at next Wednesday evening’s meeting, there will be an outline of the budget followed by an opportunity for the public to ask questions and give their concerns.
The meeting is in council chambers beginning at 6 p.m.
To review the proposed budgets, go to the township’s website or is available upon request at the office.
