Southpoint Sun - December 15, 2021

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37 Main St. E. Kingsville

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Vol. 12, Issue 46

2022 budget

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

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Leamington passes three per cent increase

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LEAMINGTON — After two days of presentations and deliberations, Leamington Council has passed a budget allowing for a three per cent tax increase in the municipality for 2022. Special budget meetings took place over the course of Wednesday, December 8 and Thursday, December 9 as administration brought forward the proposed budget for next year. Numerous drainage and other capital projects scheduled to be undertaken could not wait any longer and administration felt that putting them off another year would be detrimental to the municipality’s future. Some of the projects on tap for 2022 include a renewed focus on accessibility projects including the Fire Hall and Courthouse entrance, and paving of the municipal trails near the Soccer Complex. The construction of the Southwest Leamington Storm Water Management Pond is also in the budget, as well as planned improvements at Mersea Park and improvements at the Pollution Control Centre. The average overall household property tax bill will increase in 2022 by an estimated $36.61 per $100,000 of residential assessment. This follows a zero per cent tax increase in 2021. The 2022 budget includes an investment of $27.8 million in capital projects and $51.8 million through the operating budget to deliver essential municipal programs and services to Leamington’s growing community. Administration did remove a scheduled council salary increase of two per cent for 2022, and will use the money saved there (approximately $5,000) to perform a salary review for future budgets. The last salary review for council occurred in 2018. After the dust settled, administration recommended for council to adopt the proposed budget with the three per cent increase. Councillor Paul Tiessen was grateful to administration for offering a good, solid budget. “I don’t see where we could cut and not lose services,” he said. “I went over it with a fine-tooth comb.” Chief Administrative Officer Peter Neufeld explained that this administration is usually very tight in their budgeting. “We’ve brought a budget that we believe is in the best interest of the municipality,” he said. “There’s no built-in fluff.” Deputy Mayor Larry Verbeke agreed. “I think three per cent is a lot, but having looked closely at everything, I can live with this,” he said. “Good job on administration’s part.” Councillor Tim Wilkinson said he was expecting this. SEE BUDGET — Page 2

VOLUNTEERS UNITE TO FILL BASKETS

LEAMINGTON — Volunteers from the Leamington Mersea Goodfellows have once again partnered with Grade 12 students from Leamington District Secondary School for their annual can drive and Christmas hamper program. On Tuesday, December 14, dozens of the volunteers gathered to fill the 2021 hampers for delivery to local families on Saturday, December 18. In the back row are Goodfellows volunteers, from left, Rudy Dyck, Bill Slater, John Penner and Roger Jaarsma. In front are student volunteers Kylee Dekold, Rendel Arner, Sita Voeun and Jacey Foster. A complete story is on page 4. SUN photo We apologise in advance for our

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Articles inside

U10 team holds fundraiser, wins two, loses one

2min
page 23

Sharks split pair of games

2min
page 23

Scores high in senior men's hockey action

1min
page 22

U13 LL Blue shuts out Erie North Shore

2min
page 22

U9 Caps give back to community

1min
page 22

Stars competing in outdoor game 

1min
page 21

Flyers edge Stars, whip Sarnia 10-2

3min
page 21

Hillman Marsh restoration helps critical habitat

2min
page 20

Province invests in critical infrastructure in small rural communities

1min
page 13

The Bank Theatre welcoming Pavlo to the stage Dec. 29

2min
page 13

LEGION DOANTES TO COMMUNITY CHEST

1min
page 11

SECC raises $3,355 for Giving Tuesday

1min
page 11

FAMOUS TRUCK VISITS COLASANTI'S

1min
page 11

EAST MERSEA GIVING WEEK

1min
page 11

Santa doing drive-by in Wheatley

1min
page 10

Vaccine boosters now open for 50+ crowd

2min
page 10

Kingsville asks Health Unit to reconsider restrictions

1min
page 10

St. Michael's hosts family advent celebration

1min
page 9

Car hits house; driver charged

1min
page 8

Kingsville ladies split $100,000 winnings

1min
page 8

BUILDINGS COMING DOWN

1min
page 8

LAERC clarification

1min
page 7

GECDSB trustees select leadership

1min
page 7

Mayor's Recognition Awards honour five recipients

3min
page 7

Leamington man arrested for running a phone scam

2min
page 4

Kingsville musician reminisces about the 70s music scene

4min
page 3

Moncur stepping down as ESHC Chief

1min
page 2

FIRE DESTROYS ROBSON ROAD HOME

1min
page 2

Goodfellows hampers will feed 120 families

2min
pages 1, 4

Leamington passes three per cent increase

4min
pages 1-2
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