Review-Mirror

March 29, 2018

Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/959373

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 0 of 15

Westport property own- ers will be paying 4.4 per cent more on the munici- pal portion of their taxes and three per cent more for water and sewer services in 2018. Councillors attended a special budget meeting last Wednesday to go over new options presented by staff. The $843,051 to be raised for general funds is up from the $809,803 raised from taxation last year. The drop in the province's education rate from .00179 to .00170 along with the United Counties 3.49 per cent increase means village ratepayers will pay two per cent more overall. Last year's levy increases was eight per cent. Water and sewer cus- tomers will be paying an extra three per cent, an increase in line with a con- sultant's report which pro- jected the need for several years of annual three per cent increases to keep up with expenses. The increase would raise the montly rate to around $175. This year's water and sewer budget includes a new $25,000 expense for Town Hall administrative staff salaries, an expense not drawn upon by the vil- lage for most of the sys- tem's 40-plus years. The village's capital budget includes no funds for sidewalk or road replacement. A yet-to-be dedicated new Main Street Revital- ization Grant of $38,167 could serve to fund some infrastructure improve- ments in the downtown core. The village also received an extra $55,000 in Ontario Municipal Part- nership Funding. Treasurer Anne Marie Koiner told council some of the need for the higher levy this year included a seven per cent increase in utilities, a four per cent carbon tax as well as the The Township of Rideau Lakes is nearing the completion of negotia- tions for the purchase of the former Rideau Centen- nial Public School from the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB). "We are in a process to find an agreeable value for the property," said Town- ship of Rideau Lakes CAO Mike Dwyer. The 8,000 square foot facility would be convert- ed by the township to become a community hub which could meet a variety of community needs. The township's fire and rescue station in Portland has outgrown its current facility which is located on Colborne Street inside the village. The Rideau Lakes Pub- lic Library's Portland branch is located in rented facilities which aren't con- ducive to the type of pub- lic programming which staff would like to under- take in the community. The local food bank and the community cloth- ing coop are located in a lean-to at the back of the community hall which is expensive to heat and was originally built to serve as a rink house. The community hub model has served the township well in Elgin where the library, fire sta- tion, post office and com- munity hall are all within one complex. "I think it's a given that modern municipal facili- ties are going to include mixed users," he said. Rideau Centennial was one of 10 UCDSB schools closed last June and municipalities were among the list of organiza- tions offered the opportu- nity to buy the surplus properties. United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Council approved the 2018 budget last Thurs- day, raising the total levy by 3.49 per cent. The United Counties will collect $38.9 million from property taxpayers this year. The approved budget provides for total expenditures of $100-mil- lion. Capital expenditures account for $13.5 million. "This budget provides for the hiring of four full- time paramedics, which will increase the number of staffed ambulances for response on nights from five to six," said Warden Robin Jones. In addition, the Leeds Grenville Paramedic Ser- vice will implement the Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) program with the goal of having five para- medics trained and certi- fied by September 2018. The tax rate stays the same as 2017 with the higher levy a result of new and increased assessment. "The Public Works Division budget provides for some additional opera- Thursday, March 29, 2018 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 127, No. 12 $1 incl. tax 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 43 Bedford St., Westport 613-273-8848 soho@rideau.net Mirror The Review Township close to wrapping up purchase of Rideau Centennial United Counties levy up 3.49% The Westport Arts Council East Coast Kitchen Party Saturday, featuring the McGrath Irish Dancers, raised $2500 for MUSICwestport. See page 8 for the WAC 2017 photo contest winners. •Continued on page 3 Town & Country Lease a new 2-door Wrangler Sport 4x4 for only $ 49 50 Call Kerry Ryan today at 613-464-1460 weekly, tax in Canada Post Contract No. 40021501 Westport levy going up 4.4% •Continued on page 3 Duncan ' s APPLIANCE SALES & SERVICE Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin BLACK STAINLESS Both pieces for $ 1999 95 18 cu. ft. Refrigerator •Custom-Flex Door™ •Spillsafe® Shelves •Full Width Drawer Reg. $1349.95 Model #FGTR1842TD $ 1099 95 Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds Cash & Carry - Delivery & Set Up Available 30" Self Clean Range •Quick Bake Convection •SpaceWise® Expandable Elements Reg. $1399.95 Model #CGEF3037TD $ 1099 95 Review-Mirror closed Friday The Review-Mirror will be closed Good Fri- day, March 30 and re- open Monday, April 2 at 9 a.m. Deadline for the next week is Monday at 5 p.m. The Review Mirror Spring Home Improvement Section Thursday, April 5th

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Review-Mirror - March 29, 2018