Highlights of the December 13th, 2022 Special Council Meeting

A Special Council Meeting was held on December 13^th, 2022 to review the draft 2023 budget. Staff provided a high-level overview and the assumptions that went into building this budget using the current Strategic Plan and Vision. Given the time restraints due to it being an election year, Council chose to provide pre budget approval for a number of items that were time sensitive in nature.

Highlights from the 2023 Draft Operation and Capital Budget include the following:

• Affordable Childcare - reduction to parental fees for childcare services through new Canada-Wide Early Learning & Child Care program
• Roads & Infrastructure - $3.8M in roads/bridges and $2.3M water/sewer
• Recreation - $1.9M in recreation services
• Development & Engineering Services – ensuring smart, sustainable growth
• Sale of properties funding towards economic development reserve

The following items received pre budget approval:

• Fire prevention officer position
• Planning technician position
• Planning umbrella project – (coordination of Water/Wastewater Master Plan Update) at the cost of $160,000
• Micro surface – co-tender with Lanark County at the cost of $104,000
• Panmure Road (Shared with Ottawa) 50% of $30,000 + reconstruction costs of $109,000
• Bridge design on 9^th Concession S Pakenham for the cost of $30,000
• Waste Management Master Plan for the cost of $50,000
• Electronic log book for water and sewer at the cost of $10,000
• Wellness fitness trail equipment in Meadow Glen Park at the cost of $10,000
• Lanark County IT proposal as part of the Digital Master Plan at the cost of $125,000

Based on the levy requirement, and the estimated assessment value, the Municipal portion of the tax rate would represent a 3% increase. There are four components to the tax rate that the Municipality levies on residents – Municipal, Police, County and School. 

Budget Schedule:

• Committee of the Whole January 10^th and 12^th, 2023: Department Budget Presentations (detailed information from departments will be presented to Council)
• Committee of the Whole February 21^st, 2023: Survey Results
• Council: 2023 Budget to Council March 7^th, 2023

Upcoming Meetings:

• Hybrid Council Meeting – December 20^th, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole Meeting to follow Council
• Hybrid Council Meeting – January 3^rd, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole Meeting to follow Council

All meetings are open to the public. We want to hear from you! Community engagement opportunities will be occurring in the new year.