THURSDAY
FEBRUARY 8, 2018
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Perth’s taxes set to rise by two per cent, with reserve replenishment topping list BY DESMOND DEVOY
desmond.devoy@metroland.com
Desmond Devoy/Metroland
Swept away by Double Double Duo
Michael Bridge closes his eyes during a performance, letting the music sweep him away. Along with clarinetist Kornel Wolak, Bridge is a part of the Double-Double Duo, which performed at Perth Manor on Saturday, Feb. 3. See more on page P3.
Perth town taxes will be going up by two per cent this year, with a quarter of that money going to replenish reserves. Perth town council, during a special committee of the whole meeting on Friday, Jan. 26, agreed in principle to the 2018 budget, before it goes to a full council meeting later in February. Mayor John Fenik, in his opening remarks, said that “13 years ago, the corporation was in significant financial peril,” running an operating deficit of about $1 million. Now, for the past seven years, tax hikes, if any, have been at or below the Consumer Price Index. In his final appearance before a council on ‘Budget Day’, town treasurer Lang Britchford said that while there were “no big surprises” in Budget 2018, “we are building some reserve capacity,” to prepare for the “challenges” ahead, such as further implementation of Bill 148, and the anticipated wage hike on New Year’s Day 2019. Also, “hydro rates are going up. Not much you can do about that.” Bill 148 also saw another mini-
mum wage hike this past New Year’s Day, 2018, and that “certainly hit us with our minimum wage (staff),” at Conlon Farm, the pool, and even “grass cutters.” About $35,000 will now be added to the town’s reserve fund, in the town’s $7,272,190 budget. “We need a cushion like that,” said Coun. Judy Brown. “I think it’s wise to do this now.” Health care costs Another big hit to the town was a 26 per cent rise in health care costs, through Great West Life, the town’s insurer, which Britchford admitted, was “kinda shocking.” “Our staff have never been heavy health care users. Now they are at the national average,” for increased health care demands. “Do we have more people taking prescription drugs” who are town hall employees, asked Coun. Jim Boldt. “We are all a year older,” replied Britchford. “We get more dependent on health care and drugs as we age.” He hastened to add that the rise was “not borne out of abuse or excessive drug (use),” but noted that while the miracles of modern medicine unfold,
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