Frontenac County draft budget calls for a 3.72% increase in levy

Jeff Green | Nov 25, 2016

As members of Frontenac County Council sit down this week to consider the 2017 county budget, they will be facing a document that includes an increase of $333,635.60 in the amount of money to be levied to ratepayers for county programs in 2017.

As Chief Administrative Officer Kelly Pender said in the report accompanying the budget document, staff worked towards building a budget that kept the increase to within the 1.5% inflation rate for 2016, but found it difficult given a number of factors.

One that he mentioned in particular was a $111,000 increase in the base budget for Frontenac Paramedic Services.

“This increase results from salary and benefit costs,” he said, “the additional reserve transfer re the [new] stretchers and the ongoing phase in of the Wolfe Island enhancement.”

The $111,000 cost is being brought into the levy over three years to mitigate its impact.

Still, there are other projects that, if left in the budget would result in an increase approaching 5%.

In presenting the budget to Council, staff recommended a series of changes to bring it back to the 3.72% level.

The budget includes a $35,000 one time grant to the Frontenac CFDC for operational purposes.

After a budget session this week, changes will be incorporated into the final version, which is set for approval at the December meeting.

Also, at the meeting Frances Smith will be stepping down as Warden to be replaced by Ron Vandewal.