Council of the Township of Whitewater Region approved the 2018 budget at the Dec. 20 council meeting.
The tax-supported budget represents a municipal levy increase of 1.5 percent compared to 2017 due to growth. Without growth, the levy would have risen by 2.415 percent. The actual tax rates will be calculated in May 2018 and will factor in changes to the county and education levies.
The budget includes strategic investments in infrastructure including the following road resurfacing projects:
• Indian Road
• Anderson Road/Watchorn Drive
• Kohlsmith Road (guard rails between Mansel Hill and Mineview)
• Hydro Bay Road (remaining section), Mowat Road and township-owned section of Highcrest Trail
• Completion of Turcotte Road commenced in 2017
• Powers Road (two corrective patches near Robertson).
Simpson Street and part of Hume Street will also be engineered for future reconstruction and to replace dated piped infrastructure. Detailed design and engineering work is currently being completed for the reconstruction of Truelove Street (Crawford to Wren), including Crawford Street (Main to Cowley) and John Street (Main to Truelove). The project (road, sidewalks, and water/sewer) is deemed “shovel ready” for construction in 2018 dependent on receiving senior level grant funding.
The budget also includes funding to replace two fire vehicles, a tandem plow truck, backhoe and other equipment. Investments will also be undertaken at Veterans Memorial Park with paving of the front lane and upgrades to the beach house. Streetlights will be upgraded to LED in Beachburg and Westmeath’s ball diamond will get some much-needed attention. The Township will be funding the engineering work to replace the accessible ramp and stairs at the Westmeath community hall.
A total of $50,000 was set aside to support community initiatives with $30,000 earmarked for partnership & sponsorship grants to community organizations, and $20,000 for grants in the hamlets and villages under the Community Improvement Plan.
Water rates in Cobden and Haley will not change for 2018, with rates in Beachburg set to rise by 5 percent. Cobden sewer rates will increase by 5 increase to increase reserves ahead of the sewage plant upgrades and correct a number of manhole structures in Cobden to reduce stormwater infiltration.
Close to $308,000 will also be transferred to reserve to fund future infrastructure renewal.
Mayor Hal Johnson said, “The 2018 budget is once again focused on infrastructure with key investments in roads and safety.”
