After another run at the 2024 operating budget Monday night, Brighton council is advancing with a proposed 6.58 per cent tax hike after growth, anticipating a blended increase to residential taxpayers around 5.84 per cent.
Council, at the committee level, on Monday, Feb. 26, tackled another review of the draft budget and following a staff overview unanimously endorsed advancing the 2024 budget.
Since the last budget meeting, figures, specifically around the overall impact to residential taxpayers, are down some, explained CAO Bob Casselman.
Council started deliberations back at the end of October focusing first on the capital budget.
“It’s obviously been a ton of pressure to make sure we’re maintaining and repairing all the infrastructure we have to repair and providing the services that we know the people are demanding of us, and to do so in a good way for the community while also keeping taxes at a reasonable level,” said Mayor Brian Ostrander, following the meeting.
“We’ve done our very best to do exactly that, and you know, council wrapped its head around some pretty weighty issues, including staffing increases, and some very large infrastructure projects, including finally getting the wastewater pollution control plant under control for the downtown core.”
Monday’s meeting was at the committee level, meaning future and final council approvals are still needed. As part of this process, a public presentation of the 2024 budget is also still to come (anticipated in March.)
According to municipal staff, Brighton’s roughly $35.3-million draft budget for 2024 includes an approximate $12.2 million tax levy. The budget increase came in around 8.34 per cent (or $942,009); however, after factoring in growth ($185,898), the proposed tax hike is 6.58 per cent (or $756,111), reported staff.
However, this is only the municipal portion of tax bills – when Northumberland County and education rates are factored in, the anticipated blended tax increase to Brighton residential taxpayers is about a 5.84 per cent increase, explained Casselman.
In other words, the proposed hike decreases slightly under the blended rate.
According to staff, this translates to an estimated $79.92 increase per tax billing – or put another way, a $26.64 hike per month or about $319 annually. However, these figures are based on an average residential 2023 assessment of $400,000.
The only addition to the budget at Monday’s meeting was a small bump up to a previously debated grant request (up to $750 from $500) for the Pine Ridge Retriever Club driven by Coun. Emily Rowley who persuaded council on the increase.
Council also heard about $36,000 of unallocated monies remaining under grants in aid to address asks still to come during the year. Other “good news” shared included a $52,000 decrease under general insurance.
Additional discussion areas Monday included the proposed health spending account/benefits for council (up to $2,000 each); however, further “homework” is still needed, it was ultimately decided.
Councillors like Jeff Wheeldon have advocated for such benefits, saying it could help reduce barriers to participation in municipal government.
In short, staff are set to return with a report later after looking further into funding options and with hopes of keeping costs down. Simply put, a council decision will come later.
At the high-end range, it sounds as though it could cost up to $16,500, when admin fees and taxes are considered – but that impact won’t be known until the analysis and following decision.
This follows a compensation review and the recently approved increase in council salaries to the tune of $31,163, as identified in the budget. Meanwhile, per diem increases to council and committee members based on meetings and length of meetings are anticipated to be “a bit of a wash,” noted staff.
A more detailed breakdown of an increase under council expenditures was also requested Monday night. Council training and possible seminar participation were noted as part of the reason for an increase under this budget line.
Council advanced the budget in a unanimous recorded vote called by Rowley.
Ostrander wrapped the meeting giving thanks to staff and all for all their hard work on the budget.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
