MAPLETON ‒ Mapleton residents could see an average annual levy increase of approximately four per cent over the next three years.
Presented by John Morrison, director of finance, to Mapleton council earlier this month, the proposed 2024-2026 budget would see a levy increase of 4.26 per cent in 2024, with increases of approximately 5.9 per cent and 1.8 per cent in 2025 and 2026.
With inflation the largest contributing factor, the proposed 2024 budget would see individual residential taxpayers pay $510 per $100,000 of assessment, increasing approximately 3.7 per cent compared to 2023.
"So definitely this is not a great year and we know it's not going to get better in the next couple of years," said Mayor Gregg Davidson, during the meeting. "So for us to come in with a 3.68 per cent tax increase from what's going on with the economy, the interest rates, I think that's pretty darn good for us."
Starting with approximately $12.7 million in capital work for 2024, the presentation also forecasts $83 million in capital expenditures over the next 10 years, including $13.9 million on bridges and culverts.
But Coun. Marlene Ottens asked staff to consider closing a bridge when it becomes unsafe rather than "throwing all that money" at it.
"I looked at one of the bridges today (that's) a 1.5 million budget project in 2024/2025," said Ottens. "So it's very up and coming but it's a huge amount of money for a tiny little bridge that services one house."
Council later approved a motion from Ottens asking the public works director for a list of township bridge repairs to be delayed or removed entirely.
With a target date of Nov. 28 for budget completion, public open houses on the proposed budget will take place at the Alma Community Centre on Nov. 6 at the Alma Community Centre and at the Maryborough Community Centre in Moorefield on Nov. 7.
The full report is available here.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
