North Frontenac Council - May 10/11

Jeff Green | May 12, 2011

Taxes up in North Frontenac – net increase of 7.2% in levy to ratepayers

After several months of deliberations, North Frontenac Council finally completed their 2011 budget late last week.

In the end, an additional $477,000 over what was collected in 2010 will be required from North Frontenac ratepayers - an increase of 7.22%.

About half of that increase can be attributed to cuts in transfer payments and increases generated by other levels of government.

The township lost $117,000 in provincial grants, and education taxes will cost $70,000 more for North Frontenac taxpayers in 2011. A $58,000 grant from Frontenac County was also cut, but that was offset by a decrease of $50,000 in county taxes.

In the end, a little more than half of the total increase, about $280,000, will be spent on local services.

Among highlights of this year's budget is a $169,000 allocation to a fire reserve fund for a new vehicle. As well $195,000 is going to a fund for capital projects, and $240,000 is going for the purchase of one new tandem truck and the replacement of a cab and chassis on an older truck. Among smaller items are $30,000 for a reserve fund for community halls, and $10,000 for street lights. The township is pulling back on road upgrades, but will continue the pavement maintenance program on the 506/509 by re-paving several kilometres this year

The levy increase will hit waterfront ratepayers harder than inland residents, since property assessment increases on waterfront properties continue to shift the tax burden in that direction.

The total value of property assessment in the township is up by $56 million this year, the bulk of which come from waterfront property re-assessment. As a result, even though the levy to ratepayers is up by $477,000, the tax rate required to raise that money is down by over 2%.

County Planning proposal - North Frontenac Council heard from Joe Gallivan, the Manager for Sustainability Planning for Frontenac County, about a proposal that his office provide planning services for North Frontenac Township. The township currently uses Tunnock Consulting for their planning needs, and Gallivan said there might be benefits and costs savings that could be passed on to developers within the township if a switch were made.

Gallivan made the trip to the meeting at the Barrie Hall in Cloyne after reading a report to council that was prepared by Brenda Defosse. The report described an earlier attempt by the county to enter into local planning in 2007-2008: “from a township staff perspective, this activity was extremely time-consuming, frustrating and futile.”

A pro and con document was prepared by township staff and committee of adjustment members, based on the current proposal by the county. It includes five pros but many more cons.

Presently the township pays an annual retainer of $1500 to Tunnock Consulting for planning services, which gives “unlimited telephone/e-mail advice to the Commitee of Adjustment members and staff,” said Defosse's report. All other fees are recovered through fees charged to applicants for various planning approvals.

Gallivan said he could not answer to the pros and cons document because he had just seen it, but said, “since the county has compiled all the GIS data, and is familiar with the township and its needs, the savings would be significant for developers if we provided this service. We have the capacity in our office to do this.”

“How can you fit this in your schedule,” asked Councilor Wayne Good. “Do you have free time?”

“No,” said Gallivan, “but a lot of the work I do is project management, which is more flexible in terms of time, whereas planning matters are immediate. We can do both.”

“I just wonder, physically, how this will work,” said Mayor Bud Clayton, “and you can understand our concern if this leads to new staffing at the county, because we end up paying our share as a member township.”

Gallivan proposed that he prepare a written response to the pros and cons document and meet with township staff, leading up to a return visit in June when he will make a full presentation.

Council agreed.

“I will already be here in June to talk about the population project study that was done by the county and some particular opportunities and implications it holds for North Frontenac,” he said.

Ompah library branch – The township has received a letter from Paige Cousineau, a rural representative to the Kingston Frontenac Public Library (KFPL) Board, who has been advocating for the Ompah branch, which is slated to close on May 29. In her letter she suggests that the township request that the board chair attend the next council meeting to explain why the branch is closing.

“It seems reasonable to me,” said Councilor John Inglis.

“Reasonable, but a waste of time,” said Councilor Wayne Good. “They made up their mind about this a long time ago.”

“I think they are breaking the spirit of the library amalgamation agreement by closing this branch. They may be right in legal terms but I think they should have to consult with us first,” Inglis said.

Pine Meadow – Mayor Clayton informed council that Pine Meadow Nursing Home will receive $20,000 towards its capital campaign as part of the proceeds from a gala fundraiser in Toronto that raised $280,000 for 12 different nursing homes. The Clar-Mill Community Volunteers have also raised $800, and the Conservationists of Frontenac Addington (COFA), $300 for the home.

A large private sector donation to the cause is also a possibility, Clayton said, although it is still in the works and he could not divulge any details.

“All of this support Pine Meadow is receiving from different sources puts Frontenac County to shame for refusing once again to help,” he said.

For the fifth year in a row, a request for $25,000 per year for 10 years was rejected by Frontenac County during their budget deliberations.