Schreiber Holds Special Council Meeting to Discuss Budget and Taxes

Schreiber held a Special Council meeting in order to address a few issues that needed to be discussed before the upcoming summer break. This meeting was focused on taxes and the final budget. 

After approving the agenda, the meeting proceeded to the tax policy review. Treasurer Marlene Bottomley outlined the recommendations for the review. She mentioned that by reducing any taxes on businesses, the shortfall would have to be absorbed by home owners who already contribute 73% of the total tax revenue collected. Obviously putting a heavy load on already stressed residents is not the logical answer. Increasing rates on business also creates a problem for struggling business owners that employ the home owners. A 10% levy increase was proposed but the language becomes confusing as levies are not affected by assessment.

In order to maintain status quo based on current inflation rates a 10% increase in taxes would affect every home owner. Schreiber already has one of the highest property rates on the North Shore and it might take a reduction in services to balance the budget. 

One item of discussion was the cost of councilors expenses when attending conferences. Marlene brought up some items that could be removed such as seniors appreciation night and grants in aid. Those are not usually large ticket items and would not significantly reduce the cost of operation. Four years ago, under the recommendation of the previous CEO, all office staff were given 9% raises with yearly increases. Currently 25% of all revenue collected goes to paying administration staff. Deeper cuts to services versus increases in taxes might become a hot topic with an election looming. 

The municipal building also came into the discussion. With current energy costs, and much of the building unused it is becoming difficult to keep the costs of running the building in check.

Once again cemetery expenses are also on the rise. A grant to offset the cost of hiring part time students in the summer is useful and helps to reduce maintenance costs at the grave yard. Increases in cremation is having a negative effect on the need for more cemetery space.

Snow removal was another double hit this year. An increase in snowfall led to a spike in expenses for that department. Heritage days costs have risen partially due to the fact that in the previous years there were no heritage day events. Finally the discussion focused on the arena, one of the largest expenses the township has to deal with. The operating costs are huge and compared to actual usage by the community, it is a difficult call to make as to whether to trim some arena programmes. Ironically the cost of making artificial ice in a climate where sub zero temperatures are the norm for a large part of the season has never been figured in. Mayor Mullins also mentioned that a lack of staffing at the complex is causing problems in justifying the service. 

In previous meetings discussions regarding dash cams and gps in municipal vehicles had been debated. The main driver behind the initiative had to due with the possibility of lowering insurance rates, but the actual costs of the system versus the necessity was brought up by councillor Mauro. It emerged that there might not actually be any decreases in insurance costs and he has called out the need for such a system. The main issue stems around liability based on accumulating evidence. Arguably the opposite could also be said in cases where the gps data could confirm liability with the township and actually increase insurance costs. 

Aging infrastructure also applies to heating equipment in municipal buildings and these costs need to be considered in any budget. 

An impromptu break occurred when two of the councilors walked out of the room. Upon their return the meeting resumed. Up until this point, the majority of possible reductions have focused on small expense items. One of the necessary expenses deals with the repairs to the dam and preventing further deterioration. Water treatment and water safety is the second most expensive cost to the municipality. Several upgrades will be needed in the next few years and the budget must reflect that. A shift in thinking could be seen as the meeting progressed.

Larger expense items are now being discussed but may have to be addressed in a closed (in camera) meeting. Succession planning was another topic that needs to be finalized in the next few months.

Councillor Stefurak brought up the issue of tax write offs and questioned how this affected the revenue stream for the town. Finally the real question was exactly what the increase percentage should be. Treasurer Bottomley started the meeting with a recommendation of 10% in order to maintain status quo. As the meeting unfolded the concept of status quo might need to be rethought. A suggested hike in rates of around 5% seems to be the most logical solution and trying to improve efficiency is becoming a main goal for all municipalities. A meeting will be held to bring this budget forward and have it approved.