KAWARTHA LAKES-Over the next few months The City of Kawartha Lakes will make decisions about how much residents will pay in taxes and how much money the police, libraries and community housing and more will get in 2018.
The 2018 budget process began on Tuesday with a number of city agencies putting forward their budget requests. Some are asking for more money, some less.
The Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Housing Corporation (KLH Housing Corp) held its annual general meeting at the October 17 Special Council meeting and presented its 2018 budget highlights. The corporation says it is in a position to make a reduced subsidy request to the City. The decrease to operating and capital budgets is over $620,000 less than last year.
Since 2015, the total number of affordable housing units across the region has increased by 4% while the total subsidy requested from the City has decreased by 48% according to the presentation. The KLH Housing Corp board of directors has committed to contribute $150,000 of the 2016 operating surplus toward 2018 and 2019 budgets in order to reduce the operating subsidy request to the City.
“KLH Housing Corp consistently aims to do better and has taken a leadership role in addressing the affordable housing needs of the community today and into the future,” commented Hope Lee, CEO, KLH Housing Corp.
The reduction in the subsidy request to Council is a result of two major factors: real estate sales and operational efficiencies. In 2014, KLH Housing Corp began selling 64 single and semi-detached units throughout the region. To date, net sale proceeds of over $5.9 million from 36 completed sales are being applied toward new communities in Lindsay. New communities in both Minden and the Village of Haliburton have also been possible through affordable housing program funding. In total, KLH Housing Corp owns and operates over 700 units of affordable housing.
The Corporation has created a number of operating efficiencies including the blending of positions to reduce overall head count, restructuring overtime protocol and using technology to find savings. Participation in various energy savings programs such as hydro, gas and lighting have also added to the reduced operating costs. In total, efficiencies of over $217,000 have contributed to the decreased requirement for funding from the tax levy.
“This year’s results are extremely positive. The work of the KLH Housing Corp provides direct impacts on the many households they serve by providing more efficient service, more housing options and communities that tenants can be proud to call home,” said Mayor Andy Letham.
Kawartha Lakes Police Service is asking for an increase to their budget of approximately 4.25%. The 2017 budget for KL Police was almost 7.8 million dollars, the request for 2018 is 8.13 million., an increase of about $345,000. The big jumps are in the area of police administration and 911 operations. The administration costs include replacing office furniture in the partol officers work area and moving to a modula work station design.
The library board is also asking for an increase in it’s 2018 budget proposal. The 2017 budget for public libraries in the City was $1.75 million dollars with an increase of almost $100,000 in 2018. The board told council the increase is due to the hiring of a new CEO in a new pay grade as well as an increase in operations costs and telecommunications fees. Council heard the use of e-books and audio books rose dramatically over the past year as did the number of residents using computers at local branches. However actual visits to the libraries were down.
Kawartha Conservation is asking for the same amount of money as in it’s 2017 budget. Their presentation to council consisted of The Special Project Levy meaning projects that are geared to assist with municipal needs and investment in the community and projects that align well with the City’s Strategic Plan. The authority requested $407,000 both in 2018 and for 2018 but reallocated some of the funds for next year.
Floodplain mapping helps the municipality by safeguarding the community and enabling better planning for emergency response according to their presentation. The intent of the Lake Management plan is to improve the long range sustainability and economic value of our lakes.
photo credit: Got Credit Budget via photopin (license)
