Penetanguishene Council has been VERY busy.
At last night’s meeting, it approved the town’s 2021 operating and capital budgets, as well as the 2022 capital budget.
They include expenditures totaling $22.9 million ($14.2 million operating & $8.7 million capital). Town staff worked closely with Council to meet the established budget target of 1.5% for the Town’s tax impact. After much hard work, the approved budget resulted in an increase of $168,806 ($59,376 or 0.5% Operating; $109,430 or 1.0% Capital and 0% Policing).
The overall 2021 tax impact is currently estimated at 0.1% or $1.85 per 100,000 of typical residential current value assessment, so that’s another 4-5 dollars a year for the average homeowner.
When the County and Provincial tax rates are received, the Town will adopt its 2021 tax rates in April and recalculate.
Finance & Corporate Services Chair from 2019-2020, Councillor George Vadeboncoeur stated “I feel the budget strikes a balance between enhancing core municipal functions, supporting our staff, reducing debt, and keeping the overall tax rate increase at or below inflation. It was truly a team effort”.
The highlights of the 2021 and 2022 budget include:
- The tax-supported capital program for 2021 and 2022 approved at $2.8 million (increase of 8%);
- The total capital program for 2021 is $4.9 million and $3.8 million for 2022;
- The 2 year capital program totaling $8.7 million includes:
- Reconstruction of Chatham Street;
- Engineering for the future reconstruction of Water St (Scott-Owen) and Fox St (Sheridan-Broad);
- Drainage Improvements on Payette Dr and Dufferin St;
- Replacement of Fire Department Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus;
- Concrete Repairs to Wharf Launch Ramp and Sidewalk;
- Secondary Plan for Upper Main Street;
- Town Gateway Reconstruction;
- Overhead Bridge Rd Trailhead Development;
- Concrete Gutter Installation on Robert St W;
- Expansion of Roads Division Garage; and
- Library Lower Level Renovation and Expansion.
- The Town’s total operating budget for 2021 is $14.2 million with $10.2 million funded by taxation;
- Some operating budget highlights include $4 million for rate-supported services for Building and Water & Wastewater Services, $3.1 million for Public Works & Roads, $1.7 million for Policing, $1 mil for Fire & Emergency Services, $843,000 for the Library & Other Community Organizations, $824,000 for the Arena & Parks, $196,000 for Recreation Programming & Events, $188,000 for the Museum and $60,000 for Transit.
For more details, please click here.
https://twitter.com/penetanguishene/status/1349738966875074561