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The Township of Rideau Lakes will need to cut another $200,000 from their 2016 budget if they are to fulfill their commit- ment to a 4.9 per cent overall tax increase before they set their tax rates. Keeping that commit- ment comes with the necessity of reducing the levy for their own purpos- es by $62,294 to compen- sate for the education tax rate. Mayor Ron Holman had anticipated that tax rate, just released last week, to be revenue neu- tral compared to last year's rate. Earlier this month the province of Ontario announced its residential tax rate for school purpos- es at $188 per $100,000 of property value for 2016, down from $195 last year. The new rate may be lower but when multiplied by the township's total assessment for 2016 will yield gains for the province. At Monday's council meeting proposals for amending the township budget will be presented which could also include the township eliminating its accumulated deficit of $136,834. The township has the potential for some unbud- geted revenue this year including an additional $98,000 in PIL (payment in lieu) from the Counties and School board, the potential of additional Ontario Community Infra- structure Fund (OCIF) funding, and the potential for the Delta landfill site closure costs to run under budget. Those revenues could be offset by the cost of and additional payroll period for 2016 under accounting changes requested by the auditor, the potential Local municipalities who were clients of Brent J. Burns after his Public Accounting license expired on Nov. 1. 2013 are being required to obtain new audits. Earlier this month the Township of Rideau Lakes received a letter from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing informing them their 2013 and 2014 Financial Infor- mation Report (FIR) would need to be re-filed to the ministry by a licensed auditor. The Township of Athens, Merrickville-Wol- ford, and The Village of Westport were also his clients during years that his license had been sus- pended. "All future statements will continue to be affect- ed until the affected years are audited by a licensed accountant," stated Rideau Lakes treasure, Joe Whyte in a report to council. Current township audi- tor Howard Allan noted to council on Monday that his firm could only issue 'qualified' financial state- ments until the previous years were re-audited. Allan and Partners statement for 2015 is based on ending balances of 2014. The township's Bever- ley Lake Park, public library, and seniors hous- ing boards will also be audited as components of the municipality's consoli- dated financial statement. Cost of the re-audit by Allan & Partners would be approximately $40,000, $9,750 of which could be Justin Martin President 613-530-0773 RR 2 Westport, ON K0G 1X0 jtmartin@kingston.net 4 Septic Systems 4 Excavating 4 Landscaping 4 Road Work 4 Rock Excavating 4 Trucking 4 Residential & Commercial Snow Plowing & Sanding 4 Damp Proofing LTD. Mirror The Review Thursday, April 28, 2016 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 125, No. 17 $1 incl. tax Township to shave another $200,000 off 2016 budget •Continued on page 3 Canada Post Contract No. 40021501 Creative Gardens Landscape Supply and Garden Centre Landscape Supply Depot Creative Floral Designs Seasonal Gift Ware Landscape Design and Construction Seasonal Garden Maintenance 82 Concession St., Westport 613 273 8437 creativegardenslandscaping@yahoo.ca Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin duncan s TV & APPLIANCES 30" Glass Top Range •Spacewise® Expandable Elements •Precision Set™ Controls •Fits-More™ Cooktop •Self Clean Reg. 1199.95 $ 999 95 Model #CGEF3035RW 30" Gas Range •Continuous Grates •Low Simmer Burner •Quick Bake Convection •Self Clean Reg. 1299.95 $ 1099 95 Model #FGGF3035RW Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds Ranges Expired auditor's license will prove costly to municipalities •Continued on page 3 Gail Myatt and her grandchildren Anna and Stefan Arsovski decided to collect beer cans and bottles from the side of Centreville Road south of Westport as an Earth Day clean up project. They were successful and managed to pick up 90 cans and 12 bot- tles, among other items, which they turned in for the refund and donated the money to Prevent Another Westport Stray (PAWS). Supplied photo 24 Family Lane, Smiths Falls Hwy. 15 S. & Bay Rd. 613-205-1212 streetmotorsales@cogeco.net streetmotorsales.com Charlie Franklin Sales Representative 2003 Trail Lite Camper 5th wheel, 25 ft., white, slide out $8,995 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad cab, 4x4, 8 cyl., green, 162,783kms $13,995