County budget passes committee, rubber stamp on Nov. 24

New Tecumseth Free Press Online

Simcoe County councillors sitting in committee of the whole today, approved a 2016, $449 million operating and capital budget that will raise the average property tax bill for County purposes by $6 per $100,000 of residential assessment value, over last year.

The budget is scheduled to be ratified on November 24. It proposes to levy $146 million. Labour costs make up for the bulk of the levy hike with more than 1,650 full and part-time employees in line for a combined $6 million increase in salaries, wages, and benefit enhancements. Additionally, 22.4 full-time equivalent new hires are included at a cost of $2.1 million – partially offset by other funding subsidies for a net impact of $1.6 million.

Among the major capital projects include the reconstruction and urbanization of the King Street bridge and road between Victoria Street and Heydon Avenue. Estimated cost is $8.95 million, of which $2.7 million will be expensed in 2016.