Duane Hicks
Town council will keep $120,000 earmarked for new tennis courts in its 2015 budget.
But during Monday’s budget meeting, Coun. Paul Ryan said the money will be set aside “on the condition that the committee raises the rest of the money.”
He noted the tennis court committee’s estimate for four courts is $320,000.
If it comes up with the difference between $320,000 and $112,000, that would be the time that council would “chip in.”
“I think that’s pretty prudent you make it conditional. That holds people’s feet to the fire,” said Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig, pointing out the $112,000 would come out of reserves and not affect taxation.
Several councillors noted it’s very important the town “see the money” before contributing its share, adding they do not want another situation like the skate park, where the town had to pick up an unfair share of the tab.
But McCaig said council’s commitment should spur on the committee to get started fundraising.
“I have every confidence they’ll raise the money,” he noted.
Community Services manager Jason Kabel, who also sits on the tennis court committee, said he felt council keeping the tennis court dollars in this year’s budget will be a “stimulant to a committee that is already very committed.”
“We’ve had a lot of favourable comments in the community,” he noted.
“We have a task force that’s really committed to the project, and we’re thankful that Mr. Wiedenhoeft is chairing it for us.”
Meanwhile, town council cut $30,000 for an off-leash dog park from its capital budget.
Coun. Ken Perry noted that council could be willing to make a contribution to such a project if a committee came forth willing to raise funds for one.
Council is done revising its capital budget, having made the final few cuts at Monday’s meeting.
Among items trimmed from the budget was a $2 million-plus reconstruction of Colonization Road East, from Scott Street to just north of Fifth Street East.
This job relies on provincial funding the town may not get this year.
Also axed from the capital budget was $42,000 worth of maintenance to the Civic Centre.
One item discussed for cutting—but ultimately kept in—was a new scissor lift for the Memorial Sports Centre.
The majority of council was in favour of making the $35,000 purchase, reasoning that although the town could rent one locally, it would be much more efficient for the town to have its own so it could use it whenever it needed it, including emergencies (such as replacing an arena light during an important event).
Other keys items briefly discussed but determined important this year included Public Works garage exterior renovations and seven new overhead doors ($150,000), a new street sweeper ($325,000), and an animal shelter replacement ($100,000).
At this point, council is looking at a possible residential tax increase of less than two percent.
The combined operating and capital budgets requires a levy increase of $195,078.
A significant part of this amount—$71,482—is due to the five percent levy increase to the town by the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board.
As reported last week, this increase is because DSSAB needs to spend $195,000 for four social housing roofing projects in the district this year.
Council also chose to reduce the levy increase by contributing $50,000 less to its reserve funds in 2015.
However, it still will be putting in $40,000 more than it did last year.
In 2014, it contributed $1.335 million to its reserves. This year, the amount will be $1.375 million.
Council is expected will talk more about tax ratios at its March 30 budget meeting.
At this time, the town will know if the new education tax rates will further increase or decrease the 2015 levy.
Treasurer Laurie Witherspoon said council also should keep in mind that the tax rate, in fact, is half-a-percent lower than what it was in 2014 due to certain factors, including a reduction in the large industrial class.
She noted some property owners’ tax bills will go up from last year while others will go down.
The budget likely will be ready for a vote at the April 13 council meeting.
