MURC, Civic Centre projects move forward under 3.6% tax hike in Georgina

Council split, however, on approving 3 capital projects to the tune of $77M

YorkRegion.com
Feb. 12, 2019
Heidi Riedner

Georgina taxpayers will have to dig a little deeper into their pockets after a 3.6 per cent tax increase under the town’s 2019 draft budget got the green light from council.

Council approved the 2.6 per cent increase for the 2019 tax levy budget with an additional one per cent increase for contributions to capital reserves after two-day budget deliberations Jan. 29 and 30.

That equates to roughly an $80 increase to the municipal portion of the tax bill based on an average home assessment of $385,810.

Throw in an extra $23.17 for the average quarterly billing if you’re on town water and sewers under a 7.2 per cent increase in the 2019 water and wastewater budget, which was also endorsed.

“The budget process is always challenging, as we weigh the best interests of the town today and plan for tomorrow,” Mayor Margaret Quirk said.

“It is never easy to increase taxes, but we are not here to make the easy or popular decisions, we are here to make the hard decisions,” Quirk said, pointing to both the town’s aging infrastructure in need of repair and the importance of long-range planning to address growth.

“This budget provides for services today, puts processes in place for improving services, moves forward two major capital projects (MURC and new civic centre) in a responsible manner and adds to our reserves to plan for the future.”

Regional Coun. and Deputy Mayor Rob Grossi, however, suggested putting a hold on those capital projects, which represent a total $42.1 million and $27 million respectively, as well as the $8 million rebuild of West Park in light of the fact concern over rising taxes was the No. 1 issue during the election campaign. He also pointed out the fact the province is conducting a review of regional and municipal governance that may affect how the town carries out its operations in the future.

“I think we need to take a good pause relative to major infrastructure investments in this municipality,” he said, adding a recent report outlined 46 per cent of all Canadians are within $200 of insolvency.

“I’m not sure it’s affordable for the people we represent,” he said, in reference to the commitment the town has to make with respect to the MURC, including “unknown” as of yet operating expenses and the proposed long-term debt associated with the three projects.

“We have no idea what this is going to cost us.”

Hitting the pause button would “send a good clear message to the people we represent that we understand their concerns,” Grossi said.

Grossi’s motion to approve only the design portion of the budget for the MURC, as well as bumping up public consultation, died on the floor.

Putting the brakes on a new civic centre was similarly defeated, with only Grossi and councillors Mike Waddington and Dave Harding voting against approving the $27 million project.

Anticipated construction completion for both the MURC and civic centre is pegged for 2021/2022, with 2019 budget dollars going toward design.

“The need is there and won’t go away,” Quirk said, adding the longer the delay, the higher the costs.

She added the town has the ability to move forward with escape clauses built into tenders should council choose to change the scope of any of the projects.
Council will ratify the budget on Feb. 13.