Leamington passes three per cent increase

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.

“I think we all knew this was coming,” he said. We knew we’d have to play ‘catch-up’ at some point.”

Wilkinson said it was time for the municipality to look for more revenue streams such as sponsorship and advertising opportunities in parks and other places that could bring revenue.

“And we also need to start looking at reducing our carbon footprint,” he added. “Maybe we should be looking at electric vehicles.”

Neufeld agreed and indicated that electrifying the municipality’s fleet was already being discussed.

Councillor Trevor Jones thanked administration for a ‘mature and thoughtful’ budget proposal.

“This budget proposal guarantees us a safe, secure and prosperous future,” he said.

Councillor Bill Dunn was equally appreciative of the hard work put in by administration.

“I appreciate the fact that last year we asked them to come back with a zero increase and they made it happen,” he said.

Councillor John Hammond asked if administration could take a look at the training and education dollars being spent and somehow make sure that those who are being trained agree to stay with the municipality for a certain amount of time.

“I’d like to see us get a return on our investment,” he said.

Mayor Hilda MacDonald spoke last and agreed with Councillor Jones about the budget being a ‘mature and thoughtful’ budget.

“This was a mature decision and was not easy,” she said. “It’s not going to be popular but it is the right thing to do. To make a decision like this is highly commendable.”

“In my 16 years, this is the bravest and toughest budget I’ve ever seen,” she added.

Councillor Hammond moved to accept the budget and it was seconded by Councillor Tiessen.

A unanimous vote followed, which sealed the budget increase at three per cent.