It’s Budget Time
By John Swartz
Orillia Council begins discussion of the 2020 municipal budget Monday afternoon. The 1 p.m. meeting has 8 items on the agenda, only two of which will commit funding. The balance of spending decisions will take place over a series of meetings to be held during the next three weeks.
Staff want approval to direct anticipated $1.3 million funding from the provincial community infrastructure fund to be used for stormwater management purposes. The City proposes to spend 1,597,000 in 2020, $308,000 more than 2019 (not including the $1.3 million)
The environmental services and operation department wants council to approve funding for street light upgrading of 3,200 lamps to LED and Smart controls. The City has spent $90,000 over the last two years maintaining the current lighting. Replacing with LED lamps will increase the average use of a fixture from 2.5 years to 11. The Independent Electricity System Operator has an incentive program (ending in 2020) for municipalities to switch, which staff estimates will be from $100,000 to $300,000. The total cost of the project is $2,400,000 with a payback from reduced electrical costs (down by 40%) and maintenance (down by 80%) of 5.8 years.
The meeting will begin with an overview from City treasurer Jim Lang.
Staff have a number of savings measures for council to consider ($61,000) and expect increased revenue of $282,000 from general revenue increases and $900,000 from increase property assessments.
Increases the City must include in the budget from other levels of government include $322,00 more to the Simcoe County (Ontario Works, Social Housing, Long Term Care, Children’s Services, and Paramedic Services) and the police services board, $89,000 more.
A number of decisions regarding water rates (coming, going, storm) and other user fees will affect taxpayers. For example, there is a proposal to increase transit fares to $2.50.
Three reports outline information that will useful as council digs into the numbers later. Staff recommend continuing the development charges moratorium which began in 2011. The City has waived approximately $1.2 million during that time against $111 million of development value.
Parks recreation and culture has reports regarding Foundry Park design and development, and to direct staff to prepare replacement costs for play facilities in parks for the 2021 budget.
The rest of the budget meeting schedule is Nov. 21 (board and agency requests – 1 p.m. start), Nov. 27, 28, Dec. 2 and 3 (meetings begin at 9 a.m.). The final meeting to approve a 2020 budget will be Dec. 9 at 6 p.m.
The budget delivered proposes a target increase in property taxes of 2.5% ($1,477,989), but a number of items are on the list of considerations which may create a 3.3% increase ($1,947,675).
