Special Council Highlights - February 12 Budget

Special Council Highlights February 12, 2021

Grey Highlands Council met virtually on February 12th at 1:00 pm for a Special Council meeting to continue budget discussions from February 1st. The meeting was streamed live for the public to watch as well as recorded: https://youtu.be/EcH8wcRaJDw

• Budget discussions continued with amounts included in the draft budget confirmed with the following changes:
o the Human Resources Intern position was included in the budget in the amount of $19,750.
o the Manager of Facilities and Recreation position was included in the budget but was prorated for a period of 9 months of employment for 2021 at approx. $31,000.
o the consultant for Insurance RFP was included in the budget with no impact to the levy.
o the comprehensive zoning review was included in the amount of $35,000.
o the Part-Time Municipal Services Assistant Position for Public Utilities was included in the budget in the amount of $34,725 with no impact to the levy as it is funded by revenue.
o the Household Hazardous Waste event days were not included in the budget, however; Council directed staff to investigate funding options including partnership options for this initiative.
o the parking study was not included in the budget, however; Council directed staff to investigate funding for this study and that the focus be on Flesherton and Tourist areas.
o the downtown revitalization project was included in the budget of up to $60,000 to be funded from reserves subject to the successful grant application approval.
o the compact track loader was included in the budget in the amount of $155,000.
o the Certified Engineering Technician was included in the budget in the amount of $104,627 but was prorated to approx. 2/3 of the employment period for 2021 in the amount of $70,000.
o the Planning Technician was not included in the budget, however; Council included a Part-Time Contract Planner position in the amount $40,000.
o the wage grid movement was included in the amount of $154,937.
o the increase to Asset Management Reserve of 1.17% was included in the budget in the amount of approx. $137,500.

• Additional items included in the budget and approved through the consent included:
o the COVID Business Recovery Plan at $22,250 to be funded from the Safe Restart Reserve.
o the Tourism Ambassador in the amount of $10,771.
o the increase to fire training in the amount of $14,000.
o the resident internet hotspot in the amount of $5,000.
o the tree removal program in the amount of $25,000.
o the Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) at 0.6% in the amount of $30,900.
o the transfer to reserve for future fire truck purchase in the amount of $100,000.

• Additional items not included in the budget include:
o Outdoor Adventure Strategy in the amount of $25,000
o Joint Municipal Physician Recruitment in the amount of $25,000
o Centre Grey Hospital Contribution in the amount of $200,000
o Renovations at 11 Toronto Street Markdale in the amount of $375,000

• Items that were reconsidered from the February 1st Special Council meeting:
o Asphalt Resurfacing - Blue Mtn/Osprey capital project will be deferred to the 2022 budget or until grant funding can be obtained. This motion was originally defeated at the February 1st meeting. The motion was reconsidered and carried.

Council concluded the budget deliberations with a tax levy increase of 1.5%. This equates to $8.82 per $100,000 of assessment.
The Blended rate equates to 1.48%

You can view the 2021 Draft Budget at: https://greyhighlands.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/239471
Or visit www.greyhighlands.ca/budget

Attachments

Council Highlights Feb 12 Budget