With several massive capital projects in the works, Bracebridge taxpayers are facing their largest tax hike in more than a decade.
On Tuesday Bracebridge’s general committee approved the draft 2024 Municipal Budget and Business Plan. If approved by council, it will trigger a general tax rate increase of 6.8%. The draft rate increase consists of a levy increase of 8.5%, which is partly offset by an approximate 1.7% increase in taxable assessment.
For the average Bracebridge resident, the budget should cost an extra $102 per $300,000 assessment.
In December, the District of Muskoka approved a tax increase of 3.94%.
One of the primary drivers of the Bracebridge increase is the impending completion of the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre. The arena and library complex is set to open in May 2024, at an estimated final cost of $75 million.
“I truly believe it’s going to revolutionize recreational and library services in our community,” said Bracebridge Treasurer Paul Judson in delivering the budget.
Some 41.6 percent of this year’s budget will be devoted to the culture and recreation department.
Substantial completion and occupancy of the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre is presently scheduled to occur at the beginning of May 2024, according to the staff report, at which time the Town will take on operational responsibilities for the Centre, including associated costs. During the time between occupancy and opening to the public in the summer of 2024, staff and consultants will be installing equipment, furnishings, I.T. and point of sale systems, training on mechanical systems, planning programs, scheduling rentals and generally preparing the facility for opening to the public.
The library budget is also set to increase by $411,240 or 34.5%, as they prepare for occupancy at the community centre.
The 2024 Fire Department budget represents an increase of $274,440 or 19.4%. Some major expenses include $300,000 set aside for land acquisition and concept design of Station 2; $605,200 for replacement of tanker #2, and $75,000 for truck purchase.
Spending on corporate services is expected to be up $237,870 or 13.2% for 2024. Major projects include an allocation for implementing a human resources management system at $150,000 and various website upgrades.
The municipal office budget is up $337,810 or 21.3%. That includes $54,500 for proposed I.T. updates, $46,000 for the replacement of the emergency generator and $15,000 for an electric vehicle feasibility and infrastructure.
The Public Works operating budget represents an increase of $371,630 or 8.2%.
Road projects that fall under that budget for 2024 include:
The draft budget must still be ratified by council.
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As a new Bracebridge resident, I’m appalled by a 7% tax hike to fund a library. What?! Yes, books are very important, but there was an existing library. This new building will be mostly empty.
Taxes are already significantly higher than the neighbouring Muskoka townships – why?
Change is required.
The money WASTED on the arena paying for interest could instead have brought food security to the impoverished families of Bracebridge. About 20% of families in our town suffer from food insecurity. $3 million a year could have fed them all. Seems the bureaucrats living in the fancy subdivisions north of town are too comfortable to see the real needs of residents.
Bracebridge bureaucracy and council completely out of touch with the residents needs. Go into massive debt to build unneeded facilities. Arena was supposed to cost Bracebridge taxpayers ONLY $16 million. Now the bill is approaching $70. MILLION!!! All borrowed. Final cost $120 MILLION with the interest payments. Who really benefits here. The residents or the friends of those who push these mindless costly schemes.
Families can’t pay rent, taxes or afford a home. Hundreds in our community rely on FOOD BANKS. Poverty is here.
Outside independent provincial review needed of Bracebridge’s finances and decision making. A big broom required to clean this mess.
Our taxes went up 10% from 23 costs to 24 ..we are now over 600. Per. We will be forced to sell if there’s another 6 plus %.this is not an exaggeration..it’s a simple fact.
Taxpayers should be outraged at this farce of a budget. Spending up 8.5%!!! Do taxpayers realise that Town employees are getting a tiny 1% pay increase. The big money is going to pay for the debt on the Community Centre at $3 million a year for the next 30 years. On top of the cash outlay of another $25 to $30 million.
This is what happens when certain interests push pet projects like an unneeded arena and a library (smaller than the one we now have) and other useless projects like Woodchester deck in the woods at $100,000.
Long overdue for new leadership at the Town. The statement that the new community centre is “going to revolutionize recreational and library services in our community”. is head scratching. Was a psychic consulted?
Absolutely disgusting to raise taxes when so many people are struggling. The new “arena” was not needed.
The old arena had class. It needed some repairs but it is usable and it is PAID FOR!
As for the new library, it is nothing but a colossal waste of money. This is 2024 not 1924. Bricks and mortar and paper books are so dated. The old library works well and it has class.
Our elected politicians go out of their way to spend, spend, spend. Just stop it. Stick to the basics.