|
(Posted
1 p.m., Oct. 24)
City tables draft budget with lowest tax increase in six
years
By
Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online
City
council got it's first look at the 2013 budget on Wednesday,
and based on the early reaction they like what they see,
especially the 2.09 per cent tax increase that is being
proposed in the document.
The
proposed tax hike, which does not include the education
portion of the property tax bill or water and sewer rates,
would be the lowest tax increase in six years and represents
an additional $67 on the average home assessed at $314,500,
bringing the total municipal portion to $3,283.
The
proposed $2.5 billion operating budget contains a number
of efficiencies totaling $8.8 million including a net
reduction of 139 full-time positions.
At
the same time staff are proposing to inject an additional
$5.5 million toward infrastructure renewal; $2.5 million
toward expanding cycling infrastructure; $2 million to
make city buildings more accessible; and $1 million toward
the ongoing battle against the Emerald Ash Borer.
The
proposed budget also maintains the freeze in recreational
fees first implemented in 2011; provides ongoing funding
for the "Ottawa On The Move" infrastructure
program; and reduces garbage collection fees by 11 per
cent to reflect the move to bi-weekly garbage pickup.
In
terms of funding for local projects the proposed budget
includes money for parks in Cardinal Creek and Avalon;
new crossing guard locations for Fallingbrook Elementary
School, Henry Larsen Elementary School and Des Pins Elementary
School; and the necessary funding for the opening of the
Francois Dupuis swimming pool in Avalon.
The
proposed budget also contains $2 million to extend Brian
Coburn Boulevard from Mer Bleue Road to Navan Road; $1.5
million for the construction of a sidewalk on the south
side of North Service Road from east Rossignol to Trim
Road; and $4 million to advance the widening of Tenth
Line Road. There is also money for sidewalk renewal in
Navan; paving the Hornet's Nest parking lot; traffic safety
modifications on Hwy. 174 east of Trim; and the commencement
of work on widening and realigning Trim Road.
A
number of east end roads will also be resurfaced in 2013
including all of Princess Louise Drive, and sections of
Montcrest Drive, Viseneau Drive, Southpark Drive and Colonial
Road. Repaving will also be done on Des Epinettes Avenue
and Watters Road between Charlemagne and Montcrest.
East
end residents will have an opportunity to comment on the
proposed budget during a public meeting on Thursday, Nov. 1from 7-9 p.m. at the Shenkman Arts Centre.
(This
story was made possible thanks to their generous support
of our local business
partners.)
Return
to top
Return
to Front Page
|
