Central knocks tax increase down to 3.29 per cent from previous 6 per cent

Craig Bakay | Mar 16, 2022

Central Frontenac Council held a doubleheader of meetings March 8, convening at 2:30 p.m. to accept a revised 2022 draft budget.

In his presentation, Treasurer Michael McGovern said this latest version “is levying 3.29 per cent ($297,477) more dollars than in 2021, of which about $75,000 is due to growth (Operating = $218,081 or 3 per cent and Capital = $79,396 or 4 per cent).

“The overall tax rate is increasing by 2.3 per cent, which equals an increase of $30 for every $100,000 assessment dollars, compared to $56 at our initial meeting. The overall tax rate includes county and education.”

“With the cost of fuel going up, should we look at bumping up the public works budget?” said Coun. Tom Dewey.

Public Works Manager Tyson Myers said that he and McGovern had already bumped up fuel costs between 10 and 12 per cent and “we go through a lot of fuel with every storm.

“A lot will depend on how many storms we get.”

“It’s an educated guess,” said McGovern.

“I think much of our increased costs will come through contractors’ increased costs,” said Coun. Bill MacDonald.

This budget will be passed at an upcoming meeting of Council.

In Person Meetings Return

When the regular Council meeting began, Mayor Frances Smith announced that the next Council meeting will be held in Oso Hall (although there are plans to stream it live on YouTube as well), the first such in-person meeting since the pandemic began.

“It looks like we’re getting close to the end of the crazy times we’ve been living through the past two years,” she said.

On March 9, Smith officially terminated the State of Emergency enacted March 26, 2020, as of 9:15 a.m., something she has the authority to do under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

Council also passed some amendments to its procedure bylaw to allow for streaming and members to attend electronically in case of sickness or weather concerns.

Building Report

Chief Building Official Andy Dillon announced that construction value up in February was $645,000 on six permits ($9,056 in fees) bringing the year to date total of $1,351,400 and $18,970 in permit fees. This compares with $428,754 and $5,965 in 2021 and $283,500 and $4,118 in 2020.

Council also passed bylaws to appoint more building inspectors.

Doctor Recruitment

Mayor Frances Smith brought a request to Council asking for funds to rent a table at a physicians recruitment opportunity in Ottawa.

“The mayors of Frontenac County were invited to a meeting with doctors,” she said. “Right now, recruiting doctors is next to impossible.

“We need to be speaking to graduates to see if we can attract them to our community because Dr. (Peter) Bell is looking at cutting back.”

She said the cost to rent a booth for three days in Ottawa would be $2,000 which could be split between Central, South and Frontenac Islands (North Frontenac didn’t attend the meeting but is instituting its own recruitment strategy).

“If the other two don’t want to contribute, we should pay the whole thing,” said Coun. Bill MacDonald.

Coun. Victor Heese said that Dr. Bell is funding Dr. Danny Cunic and Executive Director Deborah Krause (who lives in Winchester) to go.

“This is a really important thing that needs to be done,” said Heese.

“I did speak with (South Frontenac Mayor) Ron Vandewal and he’s bringing this to his Council tonight,” said Smith. “Long term, we’re trying to get the County to put some program together with videos and print materials we can take to these things and put on our website.”

“The County should commit $20,000 per year for a three-year commitment for any doctor willing to come here,” said Coun. Tom Dewey.

New Fire Truck

Council gave its approval for Fire Chief Chris McDonough to write a letter of intent to buy a new pumper/tanker in 2024.

“No funds would be put in this year,” McDonough said. “We’ll be budgeting for it over the next two years.

“The letter of intent will hold the price for two years.”

Zoning Bylaw

Council welcomed back Planner GlennTunnock who has been retained to update the Township’s Zoning Bylaw. Tunnock was the Township planner for many years.

“I don’t think we need to completely re-write the Bylaw,” he said. “That would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

“But I would like you to think about how you’d like to handle storage containers and live-work units.”

Outdoor Skating Rink

Council accepted a presentation from Gian Kaillon on resurrecting a plan to build an outdoor skating rink in Sharbot Lake.