Staff
Town council has approved the timetable for planning out the 2017 budget, which includes a public input meeting slated for Monday, Sept. 26 in conjunction with the regular council meeting that night.
At that time, the public is urged to share its ideas as to what should be in next year’s budget.
Those wishing to make a presentation are requested to register prior to noon next Thursday (Sept. 22) with town clerk Lisa Slomke (274-5323 ext. 1215).
About 10 minutes will be provided per presentation.
The timetable then calls for the executive committees to review the information received at the public meeting, as well as review the various division budgets and recommendations.
Treasurer Laurie Lindberg is expected to consolidate the budget by Dec. 30.
The budget will undergo a review by administration in early January, with the committee of the whole set to receive a preliminary budget on Jan. 23.
It then will be reviewed in the months to follow by administration and a special committee of the whole, with it being put to council April 3 for ratification.
A second public meeting is slated for April 23, at which time the 2017 budget is anticipated to be passed by council.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, council:
•agreed to add “Welcome to” to the signs at both ends of town (the placement of the words will be in the top left corner of the sign, slightly above the name “Fort Frances”);
•denied a request to amend the land use agreement at 353 Scott St. (the Salvation Army) in regards to an alternate design for a wheelchair ramp;
•approved the Northwest Ontario’s Sunset Country Travel Association annual per capita request, in the amount of $2,187.63 plus HST;
•approved a “bronze” sponsorship, in the amount of $600, for the Riverside Foundation for Health Care’s annual fall gala, “Mobsters & Dames,” which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Fort Frances Curling Club;
•received amended property assessment notices for properties located at 426 Victoria Ave., 714 Armit Ave., and 525 Portage Ave. for the 2016 taxation year (the total financial impact of the amended property assessment notices is $11,933.88, consisting of a reduction of municipal revenue of $8,201.34 and education revenue of $3,732.54); and
•approved a half-page advertisement in the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and Museum’s 35th-annual induction dinner souvenir program, in the amount of $250.
