GRAVENHURST SPENDING BUDGET SEES 1.5 PER CENT TAX HIKE

GRAVENHURST — In an unprecedented year where residents are suffering, council has opted to spend more money on Wharf tourism, a new arerial fire truck, newer trucks, the Opera House and bailing out the YMCA as it prepares to reopen next month.

Most of that will be achieved through reserves and internal borrowing — to be paid back in later years.

They say in a release Friday that at Thursday’s special budget meeting, council approved the 2021 budget which will result in a 1.5 per cent tax increase.

Deliberations of the operating and capital budgets took place last week.

“This has been a unique and challenging year,” said Mayor Paul Kelly. “I’d like to thank budget chair John Gordon for his leadership through this process. Council made some important decisions in this budget to navigate through unchartered waters during this pandemic. It also provided resources for a number of important community priorities and need.”

The goal this year was to keep the 2021 tax rate increase under 1.5% and Council achieved this goal, said Val Sequeira, director of corporate services and chief financial officer.

As part of the budget, it will:

• Implement the recommendations in the Wharf Revitalization Plan and the Tourism Destination Strategy approved by Council earlier this year;
• Purchase a new aerial fire truck as a replacement for an aging fire pumper vehicle in recognition of the current and emerging needs of the urban core;
• Better manage and address increased by-law complaints in the community;
• Fund scheduled fleet replacements in Public Works that will directly enhance service delivery in the community;
• Do long overdue repairs and renovations at the Historic Gravenhurst Opera House; and,
• Financially support the YMCA with its re-opening plans for the Centennial Centre Aquatic Centre and Gym.

They say the tax impact will see a hike of $6.90 per $100,000 of assessment on the town share of the Gravenhurst property tax bill. And that the median single family residence will see a 1.3 per cent increase for urban properties and 0.8 per cent increase for rural properties.

With an investment of about $8.7 million in town assets, 48 capital projects will get underway in 2021, financed largely through capital reserves and internal borrowing.

More details of the approved 2021 budget can be found at www.gravenhurst.ca/budget .