Addington Highlands Passes 2024 Budget With 6.61% Tax Increase

Craig Bakay | May 15, 2024

As expected, Addington Highlands Council passed its 2024 budget at its regular meeting May 7 in Flinton.

In her report, CAO/Clerk-Treasurer Christine Reed said when the Education and County Levies are taken into account, there is an overall increase to the total tax rate of 6.61 per cent.

“The capital budget totals $2,042,579, all being finance through reserves, reserve funds and other governmental funding,” she said. “The net amount to levy is $3,882,082.”

This is an increase of 12.27 per cent over last year.

She said the 2024 Consolidated Budget includes estimated operating expenditures of $7,517,759, estimated pre-levy revenues of $1,428,320, contribution from deferred revenue of $53,957, $100,000 from working funds general and an Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund grant of $2,053,400.

The biggest bite in the budget is Transportation Services at $2,429,445, followed by General Government at $997,450 and combined Fire Services at $,150,700.

In her presentation, prior to passage of the budget, Dep. Treasurer Natalie Tryon said that under Regulation 284/09 they would be excluding estimated expenses for amortization, post-employment benefits and asset retirement obligation expenses, the net result of which would be a budgeted deficit of $77,000, intended to draw down the general surplus, excluding consideration of capital grants received.

Building Report

Building/bylaw/facilities Manager David Twiddy reported that the beginning of the busy season for building is underway.

“There have been a lot of inquiries (and) numbers are running ahead of last year,” he said. “Time will twll if this condition gathers momentum.”

He also reported that there are numerous changes (800 amendments) coming to the Building Code effective Jan. , 2025.

Under facilities management, he reported that playground inspections for 2024 have been completed and will be performed on an annual basis.

“The intent here is to keep the playground equipment we have operating as safely as possible,” he said.

He also reported that a picnic table at Tracey Park has been completely destroyed and while there are two new picnic tables in the budget, this wasn’t one of them.

“It was a nice big picnic table, chained to a tree,” he said. “I don’t know who has the audacity to smash these things to the ground but it was a well-built table picnic table that took quite a lot of effort and they left it in a pile on the ground.”

On a positive note, Twiddy praised volunteers for their work replacing bleacher boards at Heritage Park.

“The bleachers were in rough shape and long overdue for replacement,” he said. “I can’t imagine anyone sitting on those bleachers — a one-way trip to the ground.”

Twiddy finished up his report with a bit of a rant about garbage on the roadways, especially when it comes to old motor oil in roadway ditches.

“This is no place for an environmental contaminant that can ruin our precious lakes and wildlife,” he said. “Please be environmentally conscious and take it to an environmental hazardous waste site depot.

“If you don’t know where one is located, call the Township office and they will be happy to assist you.”

Road Report

Manager of Roads and Waster Brett Reavie reported that grading is continuing throughout the Township. Sweeping is complete in Ward 2 and nearing completion in Ward 1 “knocking wood that we don’t have any breakdowns.”

Exotic Animal Regulation

Council passed a resolution to support the City of St. Catharines in its bid to implement provincial regulations to restrict the possession, breeding and use of non-native (exotic) wild animals and licence zoos to guarantee the fair and consistent application of policy throughout Ontario.

“I’ve had one incident where there was an alligator at one of the local residences and I’ve been told that there are five in the neighbourhood of Northbrook,” said CBO David Twiddy. “They may start out as si inches log but I don’t know that I’d want an alligator chasing me down the street.

Horse Pull

Council approved use of the Denbigh Ball Diamond for parking during the Horse Pull event June 1.

“This is intended for light duty vehicles and attendees, not horse trailers,” said Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch. “And they said they would go to the outfield grass areas.”

Flashing Light Request

Council deferred a request for a flashing light at the intersection of Hwy 41 and Addington Road 5 until hearing back from MTO.

“It’s MTO’s jurisdiction,” said Roads and Waste Manager Brett Reavie.