Central lowers 2020 tax ask to 3.5 per cent on tax rate, 8.23 per cent on levy

“Go ahead and start the projects,” Central Frontenac Mayor Frances Smith told staff at the end of the Township’s final budget meeting for 2020.

The bottom line now is a 3.5 per cent increase in the tax rate (or 8.23 per cent on the levy) which is a far cry from the 14.8 (24) per cent numbers presented at the Jan. 24 meeting.

This means the Township will be asking its ratepayers for $8,896,524 in 2020, up from $8,219,860 in 2019. That represents $48 more per $100,000 of assessment for taxpayers, or a $96 increase for the average household.

“We’ve brought it down $1,151,000 overall,” said Smith.

While there were cuts and savings to all departments, the biggest cut came from the Public Works Department, where the fog-sealing treatment for surface-treated roads was put off for at least a year, netting a $200,000 savings.

“As long as we get to it before the road deteriorates,” said Public Works Manager Tyson Myers.

Most of the other savings were realized by transferring funds from reserves or not making as large a contribution to reserves.

Treasurer Michael McGovern said pulling from reserves was preferable to taking out loans but expressed concern at the level reserves are getting to.

“We are the lowest per person per household in terms of reserves,” he said.