Deputy CAO Sean Crozier reported on the draft budget for water, wastewater, and capital investments for the Township of Whitewater Region.
He said that they estimated for a $30.95 monthly increase for tax, water, and wastewater rates for single median family homes in the Whitewater Region in 2023.
The estimated increase in taxes is $95 dollars, which amounts to $7.92 of the total $30.95 per month.
“Note that I say estimated.” Crozier said. “The tax rates will be generated sometime in May. But with the information at this present time, this is what we have.”
The report showed 21 added Residential units for water, with the water rate’s change being an estimated increase of $7.67 dollars a month, for Residential homes.
Wastewater residential units increased by 10, and has an estimated increase of $15,37 a month.
Crozier stressed that these were estimations based on the data they had on expenditures as of 2022’s end.
There are 56 total capital projects proposed for 2023, at a combined value of $11,115,000, of which fifteen are for buildings, 14 equipment, and 12 for studies.
Among the ‘must have/can’t fail’ projects are $50,000 for the Administration building Furnace, $32,000 for Arena Compressor, $70,000 for Dehumidifier, $28,000 for Hose Replacement, and $75,000 to repave Lookout Road from Powers to Lapasse to Gravel from Double Surface Treatment.
Animal Control’s proposed budget reduced by $8415.
The Senior’s Program’s operating expenses have an estimated increase by $29,800 in 2023.
The entire draft budget is available online at the Township of Whitewater Region’s Website and in the minutes of the budget.
Crozier said they had received one public letter from rate-payer Robert Osbourne, which Mayor Neil Nicholson confirmed was a letter that proposed an additional property tax of “$12 per property” in the Council’s January 18 package.
There were no public speakers at the meeting, or any other feedback sent to Council.
Councillor Chris Olmstead asked when the Council’s $500,000 payment on the Beachburg Treatment plant would be made, which Planning Department Manager Lane Cleroux said the payment will be in 2024 should the Council debenture the payment.
“Years ago I recall,If you showed too much capacity in your repayment limit, it actually hurt you when applying for funds and grants because it showed you had your own capacity to borrow.” Olmstead said. “Is there a tipping point? Are we at the tipping point?”
“I’m not sure.” Crozier said. “I wouldn’t say you’re at your tipping point since the tipping point would be very close to the repayment limit.”
“Having the ability to debt finance if municipalities aren’t using [debentures] is that the you’re not using all your options available to you.”
“You should be a politician, that’s fantastic.” Councillor Olmstead said.
“Where do our dogs fit into that, under animal control or by-law?” asked Councillor Michael Moore.
“Mostly, animal control.” Crozier said. “But if we’re using the by-law officer, it’d be under by-law. Really, you can look at them under
“There could be some increase in funds this year depending on what happens.” Moore said. “Nobody knows what’s going to happen.”
“Solar panels cost can show up on 2024.” Moore asked. “I’ve never seen a report on how much we’re making and whether it’s profitable. The CAO at the time took on that contract and debt for the municipality and it’s nice to see it finally coming to fruition. What happened in the interim? How much meat is in this system, and should we expand on it?”
“I can speak roughly to it, that the revenue from the solar panels, offhand without being quoted, is in excess of the debenture payments, but it’s very, very close.” Crozier said.
“How does that fit into green energy, etc, Green with the federals and provincials in providing funding. if we don’t continue onto the project, what happens to our funding?” Moore asked Mayor Nicholson.
“It is on our agenda list for strategic planning.” “The thing to remember is that the debenture ends next year, and the rest is just profit. Do we invest it into other environmental ventures? That’s the kind of thing I want to look into.”
“One thing I would like Lane to look into is the lifespan of those panels.”
Councillor Mark Bell, who was attending remotely. “Did we put out anything on Facebook, or on social media platforms about the public meeting? I know we receive a lot of comments after the fact.”
“It was advertised on our social media, and on the current, and in a few papers.” Crozier said. “We usually do get some comments when the tax bill comes out in August. But we did advertise it.”
The motion to receive the report was passed.
The motion adjourned at 5:48pm
