The City of Morden presented the $26 million Financial Plan last Tuesday night to a small crowd of people, compared to the larger crowds that have recently attended the byelection forum and strategic planning session.
Mayor Nancy Penner elaborated on some of the details presented.
"Ed Barnuevo, our Director of Finance, presented a $26 million budget. We are planning to spend about 54% of that, or just over $20 million, on capital projects. And those include items like the daycare. We started that last year. So, we have about $4 million of expenses left to complete that project this year."
Water and wastewater treatment received hefty funding as the highest priority items for the city at just over $9 million, a replacement ladder truck for Morden Fire & Rescue ($950,000) and grader ($520,000), along with $320,000 going into the Infrastructure Master Plan were also top priorities on the list.
The city also supports several organizations such as the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, South Central Regional Library, Pembina Hills Arts Council and Morden Community Handivan to name a few. The total dollars for this year's support came in just over $1.3 million.
What does this mean for ratepayers?
"We have set a budget with a mill rate increase of 3% and that 3% increase is all going into our public reserve. We were able to balance the budget without a mill rate increase, but council felt we have to put money away for contingency and build our reserve, we have to put money away for savings."
The city has also committed to supporting the BTHC Foundation expansion ($91) and the École Discovery Trails Track ($11.35) projects. These items were added to the special levy budget line.
"Those two levies will show up for the next four to five years, but then they will drop off. When you look at those, it kind of works out to a %7.37 increase on the tax bill. But those two items will drop off after four years. So, the mill rate increase is 3%, but an average increase of 7.37 on your tax bill."
She thanked department heads for prioritizing their wish lists and city staff for collaborating on the plan.
"I think our budget was set to encourage economic growth and development. We want to ensure we have sustained growth and enhance our recreation amenities and support our healthcare. We are also sensitive to our residents’ ability to pay. We worked hard and on the budget. We met several times as council to revise it and we kept sending it back to our Director of Finance."
Penner appreciated the discussion at the meeting, and reminds residents, council is always available to discuss matters of the city at any time of the year, with time set aside on the first Friday of the month at the Morden Activity Centre at 10am.