Town taxes up $58 on average Stouffville home
'It’s one of the best budgets I think we’ve ever had': Mayor

Stouffville Sun-Tribune
January 28, 2014
By Sandra Bolan

The municipal portion of your property taxes is going up by roughly $58 this year.

Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville council approved a 2.8-per-cent  tax hike this morning.

“It’s one of the best budgets I think we’ve ever had,” said Mayor Wayne Emmerson.

It was one of the shortest public deliberations, as well. The budget was approved within two-and-a-half hours.

(The numbers do include the York Region and regional school board taxes, which are also paid through your municipal bill.)

Council was working towards a 2.3-per-cent tax hike but decided to add half a per cent to the capital reserve fund. The cash value is around $120,000, according to Marc Pourvahidi, the town’s treasurer and director of finance.

The half per cent capital reserve contribution was narrowly passed – 4 to 3. Councillors Rob Hargrave, Richard Bartley and Ken Ferdinands opposed it.

In reality, 1.5 per cent was added to the capital reserve fund. The additional 1 per cent came from the 2013 budget surplus.

Between Canada Post’s new rates and bulk mailing rules, municipal mail-outs will cost about $200,000 this year, according to Mr. Pourvahidi. That is roughly 1 per cent of the town portion tax increase.

“I’m waiting for them to cut us off and close up shop in Stouffville. We won’t have any mail service,” said Councillor Phil Bannon.

By the end of the year, the municipality will be able to offer e-billing to residents, according to Mr. Pourvahidi.

The financial system currently being utilized by town staff has the capability to e-bill residents, it just requires a software update. That is expected to be done in June, the treasurer said.

The number of message boards that alert drivers to the speed of their vehicles the town will purchase this year went from four to six on a recommendation from the mayor.

They cost $5,000 each.

By having six, there is one available to each ward. However, Mr. Emmerson noted, if one ward has no speeding issues and another area has multiple locations of concern, the boards can be moved around accordingly.

The fire department’s request for $400,000 to replace its breathing apparatuses was approved.

The manufacturer’s recommended lifespan is about 10 years. Whitchurch-Stouffville’s equipment is between 15 and 20 years old, according to Fire Chief Rob McKenzie.

MAYOR WANTS FARMERS' MARKET TO MOVE
Among some of the items pulled for discussion during today's budget meeting, which was attended by only a few members of the public, was the Downtown Stouffville Farmers’ Market.

“The farmers’ market seems to be falling down,” Mr. Bartley said.

The number of vendors was down in 2013. However, for those that did remain, their best day was when the market moved to civic square in front of the Lebovic Centre for Arts and Entertainment - Nineteen on the Park, for one day, according to Mr. Bartley.

A report on the farmers’ market and how to proceed with it is expected to go before council Feb. 18.

Mayor Wayne Emmerson suggested the market should one day move to the parking lot next to the Latcham Gallery and the former home of the  Care and Share Thrift shop on Main Street because there would be no parking or traffic issues.

The municipality owns the building and is currently renovating the portion vacated by the Care and Share so it can be utilized as multipurpose space.