Collingwood Council has approved the 2021 Operating & Capital budgets.
Mayor Brian Saunderson commented, “Our budgeting process this year has been well organized and well-publicized with multiple opportunities for public input and comment online and virtually. It has been a challenging year with the pandemic, and I want to thank staff, Council and our residents for working collaboratively on the budget. I believe the 2021 budget is responsible and responsive both to the pandemic and to the goals of our residents as identified in the Community Based Strategic Plan and during the budget process.”
Despite challenges due to COVID-19, all Town services are continuing, and Property owners will experience no increase in their total municipal tax paid compared to 2020.
The total budget is just over $100M, and it addresses community priorities including seeking proposals to redevelop the waterfront Grain Terminals, a continuation of accessible transit, substantial progress on the expansion of the drinking water treatment facility and a number of construction projects including the Fisher Field Fieldhouse, the Harbourview Splash Pad, Sunset Point EcoPark Playspace, the widening of Mountain Road, repair of the Minnesota Storm Sewer, several electric vehicle charging stations and more.
Council was able to include additional staff resources, including a Capital Projects Coordinator, a By-law Licensing Officer who will help to address Short Term Accommodations challenges, an Engineering Technician who will support development decisions and safer streets, and a Manager of Planning to finish the Official Plan update and zoning by-law to continue with a good level of service for developers and push forward with the creation of a Town that is in line with the Community Based Strategic Plan’s vision for Collingwood.
Council also judiciously selected $371,000 of additional service enhancements, including acting on the Town’s declaration of a Climate emergency through a part-time pilot position for a Climate Change Specialist and a grant writer to actively seek funding available to municipalities.
Other items include implementing traffic calming, pursuing Maple Street as a bike priority street, establishing secure leasable spaces on the waterfront to encourage entrepreneurship ideas such as stand-up paddleboard or kayak rentals, bicycles for By-law officers, proceeding with a mural replacement, and an Arts & Culture Centre feasibility study.
Council approve the 2021 Municipal Budget. More details: https://t.co/TQMAwrWnRU pic.twitter.com/LfeeKL8kzA
— Town of Collingwood (@TownCollingwood) December 22, 2020