Residents say Clearview spending too high

By Michael Gennings Simcoe.com Feb 13, 2013 

CLEARVIEW TOWNSHIP – Only about 25 people were on hand for the presentation of the Clearview Township 2013 draft budget last Monday night.

Less than 10 individuals stood to ask questions or make comments about the budget after treasurer Edward Henley’s presentation.

Those that did speak raised concerns about spending levels being too high compared to revenue.

Creemore resident Doug Mills said council needs to look at everything it’s spending money on and make sure it’s getting good value.

“You need to sharpen the pencils and go back over things and I know you will,” he told council.

Stayner resident Bob Charlton praised council for setting up additional reserve accounts to pay for infrastructure upgrades down the road but questioned spending $50,000 on a township branding exercise.

Councillor Brent Preston defended the proposed branding exercise. He said developing a way to brand the municipality will lead to an economic benefit in the future.

But resident Dave Huskinson, during his time at the podium, noted a branding exercise is a “multi-year commitment” and the cost of that needs to be considered.

Huskinson criticized council’s budget report, calling it a “pile of fluff” and said the draft budget is too high.

He said council needs to go back over the numbers.

“Take a look at everything…get right down to the penny,” he advised.

Huskinson said council needs to get more inventive and creative.

Another resident that spoke said council needs to cut the level of services that locals receive “because I can’t afford my taxes.”

Kevin Elwood, who lives just outside Stayner, also said the budget is still too high.

Elwood said the township should focus more of its efforts on industrial and commercial growth, saying it will provide more in taxes than residential development.

Taxpayers are looking at a 9.53 per cent increase or 4.02 per cent when taxes for the county, school boards and OPP are factored in.

A homeowner with a property assessed at the average of $250,750 is looking at paying $2,854 in taxes, $110.34 more than a year ago.

Council is proposing a $20.4-million operating budget, compared to $18.7-million in 2012.

On the capital side – money for such things as new infrastructure and equipment – council is proposing a $45.3-million budget, compared to $44.7-million last year.

A number of items in the capital budget were in the budget last year but the money wasn’t spent due to a lack of outside funding that was required for the work to go ahead.

Mayor Ken Ferguson thanked residents for attending the meeting.

He said the 2013 draft budget is about investing in the future. At the same time, he conceded it’s a challenging period for the township, a theme he touched on in written message included with the draft budget.

“As with other years, council has struggled with this budget – it is difficult to invest in the years where revenue has not increased sufficiently to cover costs. We have worked hard to review priorities and listen to our taxpayers. We have continued to provide and maintain our levels of service and we have made tough decisions to be in this position.”

Ferguson said he is proud of the work that staff and council put into creating the draft budget, noting that there will still be changes made before the budget is approved.

Deputy Mayor Alicia Savage said she appreciated the feedback from the public and encouraged the public to still provide input.

“We are trying to put Clearview in a position for when opportunities arise,” Councillor Shawn Davidson said. “None of us have a crystal ball. But we need to be optimistic and plan for the future.”

Councillor Deb Bronee said it’s important that Clearview spends money to keep up its infrastructure. Putting off projects will only allow the list of work that’s needed to grow, she said.

Council will hold another budget workshop March 4 to make further revisions to the budget and at that night’s council meeting it’s anticipated that elected officials will approve the budget.

The tax rate bylaw will likely be put before council for approval in April or May.