During a council meeting held on Monday January 7, 2019, the Council of the Municipality of Meaford provided their direction to municipal staff for the 2019 budget.
Council has directed staff to prepare a draft budget including an overall tax levy increase not to exceed 3.65%. This 3.65% tax levy shall include:
o 1% increase dedicated for roads capital funding under the Road State of Infrastructure report’s “Preservation Model”.
o 1% increase dedicated for bridge capital funding under the Bridge and Culvert State of the Infrastructure.
o 0.5% increase dedicated for facility capital funding under the Facility Condition Assessment.
Council directed staff to prepare a draft tax supported operating budget with an increase not to exceed 2.3%, as well as incorporating a Cost of Living salary adjustment of 2.3% based on the 12 month average Ontario Consumer Price Index (November 2017 to October 2018).
In addition, Council provided staff with direction to budget any tax levy increases resulting from real assessment growth due to new development and building construction estimated at 1.15% to offset the current year budget increases.
Directions were provided on other projects and allocations, including:
o Prioritize the reconstruction of 4th Sideroad from the 3rd Line to the Meaford/Blue Mountain Townline over other reconstruction projects contained in the Road SOTI for the 2019 Capital budget
o Approve the allocation of $449,983 from the OCIF formula based component towards bridge rehabilitation costs and include within the 2019 budget for bridge 017- Shields Bridge rehabilitation project
o Approve the allocation of $74,409 from the 2016 Operating surplus and $332,910 from the 2017 Operating surplus towards funding the reconstruction of road and drainage costs on Concession A from Sideroad 18 to Eagle Ridge Drive.
The 2019 budget process will include a public engagement session where you are invited to attend and take part in the budget process:
Wednesday, February 6 - 6:30 p.m. at the Woodford Community Centre
source: media release, Municipality of Meaford
