Staff
Town council will vote tonight on whether to approve a one percent user fee increase for 2014.
A report from treasurer Laurie Witherspoon noted user fees are an important part of the operational budget preparation for the upcoming year.
And over the past few years, the town has tried to pass a new user fee schedule, with the exception of water and sewer rates, in November or early December.
Witherspoon noted the Ontario Provincial Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September, 2012-September, 2013 indicates a 1.2 percent change while the federal CPI for that same period shows a 1.1 percent change, according to Statistics Canada.
In the same report, administration has recommended a one percent user fee hike to reflect the current Consumer Price Index, with the exception of a few areas that may require more discussion and evaluation, and the exclusion of water and sewer rates, which are handled separately.
Also at tonight’s meeting, Mayor Roy Avis is expected to announce the 2013 “Citizen of the Year.”
The public portion of the meeting is scheduled to start at 6:35 p.m.
The committee of the whole will meet in-camera first starting at 5 p.m.
Other business on tonight’s agenda include:
•a presentation from Tannis Drysdale re: a proposed community foundation;
•a recommendation re: Canadian Union of Postal Workers request for support of resolutions;
•Minutes of Settlement for Pit Road #2, Range Lot 45-48 (2013); 209 Armit Ave. (2013); and 1004 Crowe Ave. (2013);
•a report on water and sewer reserve funds;
•a building permit fee proposal in contemplation of the new 2014 user fee schedule;
•a recommendation re: the 100th anniversary of the Fort Frances paper mill opening;
•a report re: municipal support for feed-in tariff for solar installations;
•a financial request from the Ward family re: waiving of fees for use of the Townshend Theatre to hold a benefit concert;
•a bylaw to approve a one-year renewal agreement with BFL Canada Ltd., in partnership with Gillons’ Insurance Brokers Ltd., as insurance provider for the period from Nov. 1, 2013 to Nov. 1, 2014;
•a bylaw to authorize the sale of Lot 5 Plan SM-122 to abutting landowners on Mowat Avenue and Church Street;
•a request from the local Salvation Army re: its 2013 Christmas kettle campaign;
•a request from the Boundary Waters Dragon Boat Club to support its funding submission to “Celebrate Ontario”; and
•a call for nominations to the Ontario Good Roads Association board of directors.
