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April 14, 2005 Volume 46 Tecumseh, Ontario Edition No. 14 |
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2005 Budget approved for 5.9% increase
by Jennifer Migneault |
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An increase in Town taxes just shy of six percent was approved with the 2005 budget, passed at Tecumseh Council’s regular meeting of April 12, 2005. A home in Tecumseh assessed at $220,000 will see an increase over 2004 of $84.55. The Town’s portion of the increase is $57.15. That household’s total tax bill is $2,534.69 this year: The Town’s (municipal tax portion) is $1,025.81, reflecting the Town’s 5.9% rate increase. The County portion is $867.68. Its rate increase is 3.30% this year. Education, at a 0% increase takes $651.20. This is a significant year for the Town’s budget, being the first to include Lifecycle costing. This initial phase in of a ten year financing program to achieve 100% funding for known infrastructure by 2015 saw $450,000 injected into the program. With annual financial requirements of $6.8 million (including known infrastructure work) and an annual present budget of $2.7 million, the Lifecycle/Capital/Debt stategy, as used in the private sector, is the way to go say Council members. “We run a multi-million dollar corporation, its time to start acting like it,” Councillor Rita Ossington said. Deputy Mayor Tom Burton applauded the initiative of Council and Administration to undertake Lifecycle costing. “It’s tried and proven in other municipalities. I look forward to good fiscal management this budget brings,” he said. The big ticket item this year is the widening of Tecumseh and Manning roads. The $11.4 million total includes watermain installation and hydro relocation. Town Hall renovations will cost $1.2 million, to better utilize space, putting the planning and building departments in one area. Council chambers moves to the north side of the building where the fire hall was. CAO Greg Keating provided a cost breakdown of the $1,026 municipal tax share for an average household in Tecumseh assessed at $220,000: $260 - Lifecycle costs; $229- Police $133 - Transportation; $89 - Garbage Collection $86 - General Government $81 - Fire; $52 - Parks; $29- Arena; $20 - Planning; $19-Other Protection to Persons and Property; $14 - Conservation Authority; $7 - Storm sewers; $4 - pool; $2 - Other Cultural; $1- Social & Family
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