The budget process is underway in Madawaska Valley.
Treasurer Amanda Hudder presented to council on Feb. 24. She said the budget proposed a five per cent tax increase for this year, which is still under deliberation and subject to change from council.
She said some of the major capital projects for this year include road resurfacing on Opeongo Line, which the township has received provincial connecting link funding for, as well as Hopefield Road, Airport Road and Hildebrant Street, covered by reserves.
The township is also looking to purchase a $600,000 compactor for the Bark Lake Waste Site using reserve funds.
“We have requested elevator repairs, or controller upgrades, within the municipal office and at the Paul J Yakabuski Community Centre. So there was a lot of discussion about those two items. We’ll see if overall, once the whole budget is discussed, if that does get approved,” Hudder said.
She added $100,000 in repairs for the Barry’s Bay wooden water tower is also up for debate.
Hudder said the budget proposes to withdraw $2.08 million in total from reserves this year to pay for capital expenditures, as well as contribute $1.5 million back into the reserves across all departments. This would leave a reserve balance of $5,184,509.
Additional considerations for the budget include OPP contract costs. Hudder said last year’s budget accounted for $916,105 in policing costs. This year, that number is getting bumped up to $1,016,876. The separate OPP tax levy that the township had last year was found to be not permissible under the Municipal Act, so OPP costs will be returning to the general levy.
While policing costs may be increasing, Hudder said residents will see a decrease in charges for curbside waste pickup and the use of the transfer stations, since the new provincial recycling model came into effect.
Council has already approved increases in rates for water and wastewater services for this year, but other aspects of the budget are still up for discussion.
Council will reconvene next Monday to continue deliberations.
Residents are invited to view the budget on the township website and email questions to the treasurer or their councillors.
