Council members weigh in on King Township's 2008 budget process
By Anneleen Naudts

King Township's budget process for 2008 is under way, although it's still in the early stages.

The first budget draft went to Township councillors last month, and it's currently under revision. The draft budget proposed a tax increase of 12.4 per cent. Council members unanimously agreed that had to be significantly lowered.

A working session allowed councillors to ask questions and request further information on the budget, before sending staff out to revise the first draft, and to make the necessary cuts. They were to reconvene for a second working session Thursday, but the meeting was postponed, allowing staff more time to work on revisions.

Councillor Bill Cober was disappointed the second budget working session had been cancelled. He said he is looking forward to getting back into the process when the working sessions resume March 20.

Cober said he would like the provincial government step up and help municipalities with their needs, particularly road maintenance. He would also like to see Ontario property taxes brought down to a reasonable rate. "Property taxes in Ontario are $258 higher than in any other province in Canada," he said, commenting this money is spent on social programs instead of on fixing problems in municipalities. "The provincial and municipal imbalance is a problem."

He added he was glad to see the federal contribution of gas tax revenues to municipalities made permanent in last month's federal budget.

When speculating about a possible tax increase, Cober said it is important to be conscious of spending taxpayers' money.

"Confidence in the economy is slipping," he said. "This is something a municipal body should be cognizant of."

Perhaps even more so than in other years, restraint in spending needs to be shown, he said.

Councillor Jane Underhill expressed concern with the budget of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department. She said the department asked for a lot of money. "Some of it will not be recoverable," she observed.

As part of the initial working session, councillors already approved a portion of the department's budget. They did so to allow the work to begin on a number of capital projects to ensure they are completed in 2008. These included reconstruction of tennis courts in Pottageville, repairing buildings and installing a high-ropes course at Cold Creek, and expanding the Osin-Lions park.

Underhill said she would also like information on Township's debentures to see how much King owes.

Mayor Margaret Black said she hopes to "put together a budget that meets the needs and desires of residents."

Funding for road repairs is high on the mayor's agenda. "As other municipalities, we need money for roads," Black said, adding the effects of weather and climate change have taken a toll on King's roads.

"We'll have a better idea of where we're standing after the next budget working session," she said, adding the next working session will offer an opportunity to debate back and forth the revised budged.

A public consultation session has been scheduled on April 7. The budget might be approved by the end of April.