Administration presented its proposed 2021 Budget to Council Monday and it wasn’t pretty.
It calls for a 7.55 per cent tax increase to the municipal tax rate, which works out to a $185 increase on a home valued at $250,000. (Double that, of course, if your home is valued at $500,000)
The Treasurer warned of "significant financial pressure" due to the loss of government grants, a lack of sufficient reserves, the level of infrastructure costs per capita and uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.
Monday marked the first time my Council colleagues and I have seen this proposed Budget. 
We are now reviewing it and soliciting feedback from residents and will hold our Budget deliberations in Council Chambers on November 17, 18 and, if necessary, the 19th.
You can view the proposed Budget on Talk The Burg.
There is a public engagement session at the Libro Centre this Saturday — November 7 — from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Residents can attend subject to physical distancing restrictions or they can participate online via Zoom.
If you would like to register for the Zoom meeting, please contact the Clerk before 4 p.m. today — Nov. 4th — at 519-736-0012 or email her at [email protected].
You can also email comments or questions ahead of Saturday's public meeting to [email protected].
Saturday's Open Mic will be streamed live: www.amherstburg.ca/livestream
As always, you can email me or phone me at 519-981-4875.
Budget Highlights
The proposed total 2021 levy, including capital levies totaling $1,302,664, is $26,736,992, or $2,448,841 more than last year.
Administration is predicting the Province will not provide $1.7 million in OCIF funding on which the Town has traditionally relied.
The Town has about $16 million in Reserves but that figure is forecast to drop by $600,000 even with the proposed increase.
The Town has the highest per capita investment in infrastructure, which means the highest per capita burden of maintaining and ultimately replacing it. Our capital demands over the next decade are $180 million.
Administration is recommending a 2.5 per cent increase to water and wastewater rates, an increase to the average Amherstburg home of $33 per year or nine cents per day.
Operating Budget
Administration is recommending multiple new hires, including:
- Manager of Finance
- Communications Officer
- Town Solicitor
- HR Coordinator
- Supervisor of Licensing
- Heritage Planner
Administration recommends:
- Continuation of Open Air Weekends: $49,854
- Town website redesign: $60,000
- Downtown Parking Study: $75,000
- Transit Windsor 2-Year Pilot Project: $200,000
Capital Budget
- $10,408,144, all financed without debt
- Duffy’s/King’s Navy Yard Extension: $300,000
- Reconstruction of Fryer Street from Alma to Richmond Streets: $2,200,000
- Mill and Pave Program for Ryan Street, Lamp Road and David Crescent: $400,000
- Pedestrian Crossover at Victoria and Simcoe: $75,000
- Warren Mickle Park improvements: $75,000
- Ranta Memorial Park Improvements: $170,000 (From a dedicated Reserve)
- One baseball diamond at Libro: $75,000
- Skate Park relocation: $75,000
- Refurbish tennis/Pickle Ball courts at Malden Park: $25,000
- SCADA Installation at Water Treatment Plant: $1,265,000
