The process to set the 2019 operating and capital budget continued this week as finance staff led council into a deeper dive of some elements that help fund the annual plan and keep the Town of Newmarket running smoothly.
It is the Town’s aim to finalize the 2019 budget, including council-approved new spending on a myriad of projects and this year’s tax increase, by March 4. There are still two public meetings scheduled for budget discussions on Feb. 4 and Feb. 25.
Town staff provided insight at Monday’s special committee of the whole meeting on everything from development charges paid by builders, 22 per cent of which make up the capital budget, to the intricacies of the asset replacement fund, which acts as a sort of piggy bank to help the Town pay for such things as maintenance and repairs on community facilities without incurring new debt or increasing taxes.
Eight projects that were not recommended by staff to be included on the 2019 budget because they didn’t score a high enough priority rating were brought back at council’s request for reconsideration.
Four of the projects that could be fully funded include:
- $90,000 for more trees in Newmarket
- $55,000 for lighting features at Riverwalk Commons
- $70,000 for Kingdale Road shoulder rehabilitation
- $45,000 to purchase a mobile water filling station, known as Quench Buggy
One project for which there’s no funding but could fund itself through future user fees include:
- $63,000 for an electric vehicle charging station network
Three projects that have a potential tax impact include:
- $12,000 for analytics for soofa benches, the solar-powered smart benches that charges mobile devices, of which Newmarket currently has 10
- $125,000 for paving of limestone walkways at Ken Sturgeon Park
- $25,000 for an expansion of Newmarket’s Sports Hall of Fame
On the issue of the projects that could potentially impact taxes, Town Treasurer Mike Mayes suggested to council that other funding options are worth considering, such as partnerships or grants. Or, those three projects could be swapped with three that were recommended on the 2019 budget, Mayes added.
Other projects that are deemed priorities and recommended for council approval in the 2019 budget include $1 million for bridges and culverts replacement, $150,000 to replace the washroom at Haskett Park, $75,000 for a Town website update, and more.
To see the entire list of recommended capital project spending for 2019 and more, visit here.
To learn more about where you tax dollars go and to get involved in the budget process, visit here.
The next budget meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 4 at 9 a.m. in the Municipal Offices Council Chambers, 395 Mulock Dr. A special committee of the whole on that day will review and discuss the operating component of the budget.
