CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story included incorrect information related to the number of tax increase options Newmarket council is considering for its 2019 operating and capital budgets. Council is considering three options: 3.95 per cent; 3.20 per cent and; 2.99 per cent. The story below has been edited to correct the error.
From fire ants and paving gravel trails, to sidewalk patrollers, stormwater rates and the anticipated costs to maintain the town’s newly purchased Mulock Farm property, Newmarket’s new council got a chance to “kick the tires” of the preliminary draft of the 2019 operating and capital budgets.
At Monday’s committee of the whole meeting, town treasurer Mike Mayes walked council through a first pass of what this year’s budget might look like, along with the anticipated financial challenges and potential areas of savings.
Newmarket residents will have an opportunity to view and offer feedback on the draft budget Jan. 21, when the Town will upload the document to its website.
As it stands now, council will in the coming weeks consider three possible annual tax increase scenarios, based on the average residential property: $140 (3.95 per cent); $125 (3.20 per cent) and; $121 (2.99) per cent.
“I recognize there’s pressures on people on fixed incomes, people we talk to every day in our community, and I think when we ask for options, I’m still curious and I’d like to know what it would look like to have a further reduction,” Mayor John Taylor said.
That view was shared by his council colleagues.
Mayes explained staff had looked at a lot of options, but said it would be difficult to bring the base budget below 2.95 per cent without a certain degree of risks or deferring costs to future years.
Taylor suggested that staff find a potential $300,000 in further reductions in other areas that do not impact on service levels.
Mayes said the town will see some savings that will reduce pressure on taxpayers. For example, the Town of Aurora will pick up a larger share of the Central York Fire Services budget due to growth and development, for a $69,000 savings. As well, the Newmarket Public Library budget is $2,000 less than anticipated.
In addition, Mayes said the town is receiving additional revenues from fees, and it has found “some efficiencies, some cuts here and there, to take some of the pressure off”.
There were questions raised about the proposed costs for the upkeep and maintenance of the Mulock Farm property.
Councillor Jane Twinney said she was struggling with the proposed $350,000 needed for the future park, which, for the foreseeable future, will remain passive.
“There’s operating costs of $250,000, plus another $100,000 that was included in the 2018 budget, for a total this year of $350,000 to maintain the property,” Twinney said. “There’s $230,000 for additional staff. I feel like I don’t even know what this is for. We’re not operating the Mulock Farm as of yet.
“If we’re at this right now, God knows what it’s going to be when it’s functional and up and running,” she added.
Mayes explained the budget estimates the cost of maintaining the property, including utilities and building maintenance, summer and winter upkeep such as snowplowing and groundskeeping and, perhaps, security personnel since the public is not yet permitted on the property.
“These costs were developed by looking at what the requirement would be for maintenance of the property and the home as it is now,” Mayes said.
“That’s a lot of money to just keep it as is for now,” Taylor commented.
If the Mulock Farm budget items are not spent, they will be put into a reserve fund for future use.
“In no way would it impact any tax increase,” Mayes said.
The next meeting to discuss and debate Newmarket’s operating and capital budgets is scheduled for Jan. 28 at a special committee of the whole meeting.
Check the town’s website here in the coming days for a full agenda.
