Central Frontenac Looking At 5% Levy Increase For 2024

Craig Bakay | Dec 20, 2023

Although there is still one more special meeting (Jan. 29) before Central Frontenac Township finalizes its 2024 budget, council did manage to go over the two biggest ticket items (Fire/Emergency Services and Public Works) at its special budget meeting Dec. 15 in Sharbot Lake.

Council had directed staff to raise the budget by 5 per cent which would result in $480,125 more dollars than in 2023.

In order to accomplish that task, the $733,253 (9 per cent) increase in the operating budget from 2022 had to be offset by a $253,128 (-18 per cent) decrease in the capital budget.

McGovern said that County planning services costs went up by $8,000, gas tax revenues went down by $57,000 and Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund revenues went down by $36,000 but recycling contract revenue went up by $40,000.

“We also put in $10,000 for a substance survey based on the asset retirement obligations we’re going through right now,” McGovern said. “This has resulted in a 5.4 per cent levy increase right now.”

“The whole asset management plan that we started five to six years ago, in my mind, is simply to keep reminding us that there’s multi-million dollars needed or all the assets we own — including roads,” said Mayor Frances Smith. “So when they say we need $5 million per year, it’s not realistic.

“It would be if every asset died at the same time, in order for us to get them back.”

“We don’t have enough money for it,” said McGovern. “(But) the road will still be there . . . it will be bumpy, but it will still be there.

“It’s more than we’ll ever be able to do (and) it’s a reminder of what shape we’re in.

“But we’re not alone, and there are other municipalities in worse spots than us.”

McGovern said that he does expect a surplus at year end but isn’t in a position to know how much just yet. He said any surplus will likely go to replenishing reserves.

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One interesting aspect McGovern included in his budget presentation this year was a comparison with North and South Frontenac Townships based on 2022 information.

South Frontenac raised a total of $33,689,037 in taxes in 2022, Central Frontenac raised $12,965,429 and North Frontenac raised $9,891,716.

However, when that’s compared to the total taxes raised per total road kilometres, Central raised the least, owing to the amount of roads the Township has compared to its population and size. Central raised $8,174.34, North raised $9,733.72 and South raised $13,130.05.

Including full-time, part-time and seasonal employees, Central had 50, North had 36.5 and South had 115.

Central’s taxes per $100,000 of assessment were $1,310.60, North’s were $1013.33 and South’s were $959. That translates in $2,249.59 per household in Central, $1,848.48 in North and $1,994.78 in South.

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Not for nothing, but Public Works Manager Steve Keeley and Public Works Supervisor had a unique approach to listing the vehicular assets of their department, singing them to the tune of the 12 Days of Christmas: 10 tandem plows, 4 one tons, 4 graders, 3 tractors, 2 loaders, 2 backhoes, 2 ¾ tons, 2 half tons

and one single-axel plow.