The Town of Bracebridge is close to the approval of its 2023 budget with some big-ticket items on the list.
During the most recent Bracebridge General Committee meeting, councillors agreed to a draft budget that would trigger a 6.5% percent levy increase. With 1.97% taxable assessment growth, that would result in a 4.5% tax increase for 2023. If the new budget receives final approval, a $300,000 residential assessment will increase by $62 for 2023.
Town Treasurer Paul Judson said the budget is a “lean” one considering the economic pressures currently facing the municipality. Judson said the consumer price index has gone up six percent in the past year and the inflation rate of construction has gone up some 16 percent.
“That’s truly an incredible number,” he said.
Judson said those increases are even more challenging considering the Town is currently in the midst of the largest construction project in its history (the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre) and the opening stages of a new hospital.
The budget includes $33.3 million for the Community Centre and $1.3 million to purchase land to facilitate the Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare hospital planning process, funded from reserves. Another $3 million has been set aside for road rehabilitation work, budgeted and funded by the levy and reserves.
Vankoughnet Road was tacked onto the list of roads set for repairs at the last minute after Coun. Barb McMurray brought it up during the latest meeting.
McMurray also expressed concern over money allocated to study the potential relocation of Fire Station #2, which is currently located on Highway 118 east of Vankoughnet Road. McMurray said she was concerned with any potential re-location of the station further west towards Uffington.
“If we take the fire station out of Oakley Township…we’re taking fire protection away from that community,” she said.
Staff assured McMurray that the money will not be used to relocate the fire station, and will be used to go ahead with a study of possible options. Any conclusions reached by the study must be approved by council before a final decision is made.
Coun. Don Smith had concerns with $35,000 allotted for entrance refurbishment at the Sportsplex.
“I’m told this is a tight budget year and yet to me, this is a physical enhancement and I don’t know if it should be a priority,” he said.
Cindy O’Regan, the Director of Recreation, explained that as it stands the entrance is simply a large, uninviting concrete pad.
“We’ve had a number of instances of people driving right up and parking because they think it’s a parking area, which is a bit of a concern,” she said.
The draft budget must still be ratified during the next Bracebridge council meeting.
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