Huron-Kinloss council

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Huron-Kinloss Township is set to approve its 2010 budget with a five-per-cent increase in taxes.

Council met Monday night (April 12) for its final budget session and reviewed the staff adjustments before giving the budget support, in principle. It will come forward at the council meeting this Monday night (April 19) for final approval.

The tax hike means an increase of $120.81 on an average single family residential dwelling, said treasurer Jodi MacArthur. Last year, the average home was assessed at $205,073 and the homeowner paid a total of $2,357.26 in property taxes. This year, the average home is assessed at $218,362 and the homeowner will pay a total of $2,478.07.

The only change council requested in the budget is to increase the amount for Ripley walking trail repair, to $5,000 from $2,000.

Council discussed the Kincardine Davidson Centre revitalization project which centres on the new gymnasium being added to the existing structure. Staff had included $5,000 in the budget for this project. However, council decided it does not wish to contribute anything at this time, so the $5,000 will be deleted from the budget.

Wayne Lowry was also at the meeting and was allowed to speak. He expressed concern about the cost of the Huron Road reconstruction project, and asked council what its policy is on continuing curb-and-gutter-style construction. He believes it is not necessary and should be paid for by the property owners who are receiving the benefit.

Council appreciated Lowry's comments and acknowledged his concerns.

Also, council has approved increasing the water service rate to $250, effective Jan. 1, 2010, and $280, effective Jan. 1, 2011.

And finally, regarding landfill monitoring, council had asked staff to go back to the consultant, Pryde Schropp McComb Inc., and negotiate a better price than the five-per-cent annual increase originally proposed for preparing the 2010 and 2011 annual monitoring reports for Huron and Kinloss Landfill Sites.

The consultant has revised its quote to 2.5-per-cent per year which council approved.

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Friday, April 16, 2010