1.9% tax increase on the table

North Grenville Council is considering a 1.9% municipal tax increase for 2020. The draft budget was discussed at length during a special meeting of council last night. The document is the first multi-year budget for North Grenville, spanning four years. 

Marcus Hewitt, Director of Finance, says the plan is just to adopt the 2020 budget this year. He noted there was significant public engagement, including two open houses held in Bishop’s Mills and Oxford Mills. Hewitt explained the total proposed budget is $26.8 million and $15.8 million of that derives from taxation. 

A 1.9% tax increase represents $604.56 per $100,000 of assessed property value, up from $593.23 last year on North Grenville’s portion of the property tax bill. 

The operating budget that is supported by the tax levy breaks down as follows: $2.3 million for corporate services, $1.9 million for emergency & protective services, $5.8 million for public works, $2.9 million for parks & recreation, $700,000 for planning and development and $2.4 million for policing.

The following are some capital projects included in the draft budget: website refresh ($40,000), North Grenville Mobile App ($10,000), Wellington Road – pavement to bridge ($1,000,000), NGMC lighting – full replacement to energy efficient ($400,000), 10 picnic tables ($12,000), Maplewood Hall repairs ($95,000) and courthouse rehabilitation ($100,000). 

Salaries and benefits of municipal staff total around $7 million this year. 

The draft budget also includes community requests totalling $126,850. Projects include $30,000 for a History of North Grenville Book, $8,500 for a Youth Summit and $32,000 for Victim Services of Leeds and Grenville.

Deputy Mayor Jim McManaman noted that the Kemptville & District Home Support is once again requesting $12,500 for its transportation program. He says it’s probably the best money the municipality could spend for seniors in the community. McManaman explained the program provided 12,472 rides in just one year.  

He says he’d like staff to look over the draft budget again, sharpen their pencils and come back with a new number.  

The municipal portion of property tax bills is approximately 54%, with the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville making up roughly 33% and education rounding it off at 14%. The counties is projecting a 0.33% tax decrease and education may also see a reduction of 4.97% this year. 

The budget will be brought back to the table for further discussion on Thursday next week. 

Click here to view the 2020 draft budget.