Callander council passes budget

Callander City Council
News Release

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Council and Staff reviewed the departmental and committee budget requests carefully in order to remain fiscally responsible, without compromising essential fire, emergency, infrastructure, social, health and policing services.

In order to address concerns with respect to aging infrastructure, as well as to stay in line with best practices, Council has allocated Reserve funds in order to rehabilitate, or replace, assets as required.

Further, Council has adopted an asset management plan and has approved dedicated reserves for future capital purchases.

One of the key Priorities set by Council for the budgetary process was to address the Sewage Lagoon capacity issue. Staff has been investigating various financing and senior government funding options in order to assist with the implementation of the Class Environmental Assessment recommendations.

In addition to the Sewage Lagoon, Council’s Priorities comprised of implementing the Downtown Waterfront Revitalization Strategy, conducting a Facilities Review, and ensuring that key 2012 Infrastructure projects are completed by year end, guided the Budget process.

In light of the foregoing, Council is pleased to announce that the 2012 Budget has been finalized and the Tax By-Laws were adopted on May 15, 2012.

The 2012 total operating and capital expenditures amount to $5.6M. Capital expenditures and Agencies, Boards & Commissions are budgeted at $834K (15% of total costs) and $1.134K (20% of total costs), respectively.

The average residential property owner will see an annual increase of $93/year in municipal taxes.

Considering an increase in tax levies in the amount of $195K, the impact on the residential tax has maintained the same as 2011 due to significant residential growth over the last few years and the final increase in the phased-in value of the property assessment.

Further, the 2012 Water & Wastewater rates remain the same as that of 2011.

Council wishes to thank the citizens of Callander for their valuable input throughout 2011 and during the 2012 Budget process.

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