Georgina residents face extra $60 on tax bill under draft budget

YorkRegion.com
Jan. 2, 2018
Heidi Riedner

Georgina residents may have to dig out an extra $60 from their taxpaying pockets in 2018 if the draft budget tabled Dec. 13 is approved later this month.

A 2.95 per cent tax hike is broken down between a 1.95 per cent tax levy increase for the town’s $76,295,940 operating budget, plus an additional discretionary contribution of one per cent to the capital reserve.

The town’s $28,430,040 capital budget includes carry-forward projects of $12,081,640.

The budget also includes new debt of $6,545,000.

If only the 1.95 per cent increase is approved, that translates to an extra $41 for a house with an assessed value of $352,425 under MPAC’s updated assessments for 2018.

Key items proposed under the budget include six new permanent full-time and five new temporary and part-time staff.

January 23 and, if necessary, the 24th have been set aside for budget deliberations, with formal adoption scheduled for Feb. 7.

A few items, however, were granted pre-approval at the Dec. 13 council meeting.

They include replacement of the hot water tank at the Pefferlaw Lion’s Hall for $15,000 and an ice resurfacer for the Ice Palace for $97,000 — both funded from reserves. Just over $32,000 was also committed to help support Georgina 200 celebrations.

A brand new, six-figure position was also approved. Although the position was described as a temporary three- to five-year placement, a new executive director of capital delivery initiatives is expected to “transition” to a full-time position, according to town CAO Winanne Grant.

Grant was also handed that authority to appoint someone to the position until the recruitment process is complete.

Grant described the need for the position as twofold since the new MURC, civic centre and Pefferlaw fire station, West Park rebuild and investment in The Link represent not only substantive financial dollars in a combined $60 million, but also the majority of the town's mandate for 2018.

They speak to the need for “sophisticated” project management in terms of analysis and business planning, Grant said, adding an “every stone unturned approach” is necessary.

Mayor Margaret Quirk agreed, saying town staff in the past have been put in positions "above and beyond their skill sets," which is not only "unfair," but also results in "a few bumps" in the process.

Pre-approval and the power to appoint the position on an interim basis were necessary since the normal budget process would mean the hiring process wouldn’t be complete before April, Grant said.

“We need someone to carry the ball on these projects,” Grant said. “We would not be able to deliver on these projects if the usual budget process is followed.”

Former Whitchurch-Stouffville CAO and current town consultant managing the ongoing service delivery review, Marc Pourvahidi, was appointed to the interim position.

The draft budget included feedback from 200 residents who participated in the Your Budget, Your Say survey, budget chats and public information sessions.

Residents are encouraged to review the draft budget and supplemental FAQ’s available online at georgina.ca.

Public comment and feedback may be submitted to your ward councillor or by email to budget@georgina.ca.