Special Committee of the Whole - October 23, 2023

Please note that all Committee of the Whole decisions are subject to Council approval. The next Council meeting is scheduled for October 30, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. If you have any questions regarding agenda items or decisions made at Committee or Council meetings, please email jgalvao@ramara.ca.

2024 Proposed Budget

The Director of Finance presented the proposed 2024 municipal budget to support capital projects and operations that sustain Ramara Township’s services and service levels.

The proposed operating budget, the money needed for the township to perform day-to-day operations and services, is estimated at a 4.3% increase or $820K.

The capital budget, which provides money to maintain existing physical assets like roads, buildings and equipment, is proposed at a 15.2% increase or $2.6M.  

Here are a few highlights from the 2024 proposed budget:

• Assessment values are forecasted not to increase in 2024 unless it is a new construction.
• Cost of living increase on all salaries and wages by 2% - the annual average CPI was listed at 6.8% in October.
• Roads Capital projects include completing the Ramara Road 47 project, Con 9. Box Culvert, Slurry and Hotmix projects.
• Fire Capital projects include updates to computers and specialized equipment.
• Environmental Capital projects include I&I work, Upgrade to the Bayshore Wastewater Treatment Plant, Pump upgrades and maintenance.
• Other Capital projects include a new Outdoor Sports Court for Lovely Day Park. Grants will financially support this project.

A 5% increase for the municipal portion only is proposed, resulting in an extra $29.39 per $100,000 assessment.

The Committee approved to receive the 2024 Draft Budget and presentation and for the 2024 Draft Budget to be forwarded to the next Committee of the Whole meeting on November 13 with the following amendments.

• Consolidate the Economic Development and Brechin and Beyond budgets and move $8,000 into the Recreation budget for tree planting.
• Consolidate the Brechin Community Centre budget into the Recreation budget.
• Discuss further at the next meeting:
  • Future road work – hard surfacing - for McArthur Sideroad from Fairgrounds to Coopers Falls Road. (Slurry - $375,000 or Hot Mix Paving $700,000)
  • Use of $1M Gas Tax Funding for infrastructure (Waste/wastewater VS Roads). The new name of this funding is Canada Community Building Fund (CCBF).

View Draft Budget

Reminders

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For More Information

For more details on any of these items, see the full meeting Agenda or view the meeting on the Township of Ramara's YouTube Channel.

The Meeting highlights are prepared to give residents a timely update on decisions of Council. The Council Meeting Minutes are the official record of the meeting.