Sarah Williams
For the Beaver
On Dec. 6, Staff presented Town of Napanee Council with a draft capital budget that, among other things, would see the tax levy raised to 8 per cent.
Originally, staff presented a budget increase of 13.95 per cent with the consideration of long-term debt being 9.64 per cent. Council directed staff to bring back an alternative within the range of 6 per cent to 9 per cent.
Before heading into capital budget requests, staff have proposed the tax base cover $850,000 of the capital budget requests, with the remainder being covered by OCIF, Federal Gas Tax, Development Charges and Town Reserves.
As per staff, the proposed total Capital Budget would be approximately $2,500,000 dependent on project selection and eligibility of funding sources.
Deputy treasurer Nathan Murphy presented the draft budget, highlighting some adjustments made after the Nov. 16 council meeting. Reserve contribution adjustments include: a $65,000 reduction to the Doctor Recruitment Reserve, $150,000 addition to the SPC Reserve, and an $20,000 reduction to the Fleet Reserve.
Meanwhile, revenue adjustments include: $50,000 increase in SPC Revenues, $5,000 increase in Cemeteries Revenues, $227,000 increase in Building Department Revenues and a $12,500 increase in planning revenues.
Expense adjustments include: $35,000 reduction in executive office wages, based on projected CAO hire date (which is late Q1 or early Q2), addition of funds committed to senior’s outreach services, an addition of funds committed to seniors’ outreach services and an additional $60,000 for bylaw contracted services.
During the meeting, staff also stressed to council the need for clear direction on the solid waste program.
Much of the special council meeting was comprised of capital requests, these include multiple committee requests, from Arts and Culture to Aquatics. Though requests can be approved during draft capital budget deliberations, they are not formally adopted until the entirety of the capital budget is approved.
The Heritage Committee is requesting $4,000 annually. This would be partially for education but also to continue with the plaque program.
Councillor Bill Martin spoke to this request, conceding the bulk of the request has to do with the plaque program.
“Most of the request has to do with plaquing …some to do with projects already in motion right now. The past year we had no money to deal with anything,” said Martin. “I don’t see how we can do without.”
Councillor Mike Schenk supported this request, noting the importance of the Heritage Committee.
“The Heritage Committee is a big part of our community and $4,000 is a small amount, for the plaquing especially,” said Schenk.
The Arts and Culture Committee, known for hosting Music by the River, is requesting $10,000 annually. This is not only for the music event, but also for an annual arts and culture recognition event.
Councillor Bob Norrie spoke to this request, noting, in some ways, the music event “helps to promote tourism”.
Councillor Angela Hicks questioned whether grant money would be available to help this committee.
Annie Manion, Manager of Community Economic Development, stated that she had “talks with Quinte Arts Council” regarding funding options, but as it stands, there are none that are apparent.
Ultimately, a decision regarding this request was delayed until Jan, 18, when budget deliberations resume.
The Aquatics Committee put forth a one-time request for $75,000. This would cover necessary graphic renderings to help the committee apply for grants to build a community pool.
Councillor Dave Pinnell spoke passionately about the need for this funding, especially when considering the young families in the area.
“This committee been around a long time with next to no movement forward. The last council did approve the $75,000 for drawings, but I’m asking for that again and I’m sure if that gets denied again the aquatics committee is going to take a large step backwards,” he said. “We are hoping to get a design together to reach out to different government bodies to look for grants. Without this, I think it would be a loss of traction for the Aquatics Committee. We have a lot of subdivisions on the go, which is growth. Therefore, we need to put families in these homes and enable a decent quality of life…not everyone plays softball or hockey.”
Ultimately, this request was approved.
The Downtown Advisory Committee has requested $25,000 annually to cover the cost of three events as well as a fixed-term marketing contract.
“As you all know the Business Improvement Association (BIA) has folded. The property owners declined when surveyed to see if they would contribute to this fund, which means we have no funding from those core buildings in the business improvement area,” stated Hicks. “There is nowhere else to get the money.”
“I’d like to put out a motion that we approve this request,” said Martin. “Our downtown deserves it.”
This Downtown Advisory Committee request was approved.
Last in the line of requests was $2,000 from the Recreation Committee. They are hoping to receive this funding annually.
“Because this committee is brand new I would take the onus upon myself to say we can forget about the $2,000 and if we do have one-off requests I’ll take it upon myself to find a sponsor,” said Deputy mayor Brian Calver.
Ultimately, the request was approved.
Apart from capital request, council received a report from staff recommending council direct staff to prepare a budget that that includes a special tax levy for residential property owners for 50 bag tags at $4/bag to be mailed out with the tax bills in January 2024.
The Special Tax Levy for the Curbside Collection of Garage and Recycling was already implemented in 2023, with 25 bag tags for each residence to be used between July 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2023. Part of this program saw a $100 charge to taxpayers.
5,902 residences were part of this program with a total revenue of $590,200-an amount that did not fully fund the program.
The Special Tax Levy for the Curbside Collection of Garbage and Recycling was implemented to Greater Napanee residents in 2023. In June 2023, property owners were issued 25 bag tags for each residential property they owned. The bag tags were issued to be used over the period of July 1st, 2023 through December 31st, 2023. As part of this program, the above mentioned residential property owners were subject to a $100 Special Tax Levy charge on their tax bills. In 2023, the Special Tax Levy for the Curbside Collection of Garbage and Recycling was applied to 5902 residential properties. The total revenue of $590,200 was applied to the curbside collection costs but did not fully fund the program.
Hicks noted more education needs to be done surrounding the importance of recycling and the fact that this program not only covers the cost of garbage but also recycling.
“The bag tag is not just for household waste-it covers the cost of recycling. So by putting all your recycling in your garage bag, you’re doing a disservice to everyone,” she said.
Nonetheless, Hicks expressed support for the program, while Martin conveyed disappointment.
“I think this tax is setting our blue box program back 40 years. I respect everyone’s decision. I understand where you’re coming from…but I’ll be voting against it,” said Martin.
A motion to accept staff’s recommendation was carried.