North Dumfries has operating budget surplus of $412,798 in 2022
By Irene Schmidt-Adeney
The annual audit of North Dumfries financial statements has confirmed an operating budget surplus of $412,798, which is down from the surplus of $454,424 in 2021.
The surplus will be allocated to the following reserves: $125,000 to infrastructure; $225,000 to facilities; and the balance to the Public Works Rolling Stock Reserve.
North Dumfries Committee of the Whole recommended approval of the 2022 financial statements that were presented by Traci Smith of BDO Canada LLP virtually during the meeting held on Monday, June 5th.
At the end of 2022, the township had $11,764,403 in non-obligatory reserves, which is an increase of approximately $1.2-million over 2021. There was $5,285,830 in obligatory reserves, which is an increase of approximately $1.78-million over 2021.
The township did not incur any additional long-term debt in 2022, but continues to pay two long-term debts, the North Dumfries Community Complex (NDCC) and Roseville water and wastewater services.
Long-term debt on NDCC
The township continues to pay off a variable rate debenture to the Region of Waterloo that was used to fund the building of the North Dumfries Community Complex.
At the end of 2022, the total amount owing on the NDCC was $474,000 with an interest rate was 4.95% and the payments totalling $221,000. The 2023 principal payment will be $238,605 and the final principal payment of $243,000 will be made in 2024.
Long-term debt on Roseville infrastructure
The township paid $7,277 toward a long-term debenture held by the region to pay for water and wastewater services on Marshall Drive in Roseville. The interest rate is fixed at 4.5%. The final payment will be made in November 2023.
Aggregate levy income increases
The township earns an annual levy of $0.12 for each metric tonne of aggregate extracted from the township.
In 2022, the amount received by the township through the aggregate levy was $750,376, which is an increase of approximately $33,621 over the amount received in 2021.
Claims against the township
The township is currently involved in two lawsuits. The first lawsuit is for a motor vehicle accident. The outcome of the claim is not known or whether a settlement will be in excess of the township’s liability insurance coverage.
The second claim is a $1-million lawsuit regarding enforcement of a bylaw, and is for punitive and aggravated damages not covered by insurance. According to the financial statement, “management believes the Township will be successful in defending the current claim, however the outcome is undeterminable at this time.”
GrandBridge Energy income up in 2022
The township owns 4.66% of the outstanding shares of GrandBridge Energy (formerly Energy+) and in 2022, the income earned from these shares was $369,195, a substantial increase from $224,636 that was earned in 2021. The total value of the investment in 2022 was $11,239,785, which was down $82,551 from value in 2021 value ($11,322,336).
The township also holds a note receivable with a fixed interest rate of 4.993% and a fixed interest amount earned annually of $150,774.
Public Sector Salary Disclosure
In 2022, North Dumfries had seven employees who earned more than $100,000 compared to four in 2021. They include: CAO Andrew McNeely, $161,470.80; Treasurer Christina Brox, $142,714.32; Director of Engineering and Public Works Lee Robinson, $130,230.80; Fire Chief Robert Shantz, $129,995.30; Director of Leisure and Community Services Karen Winter, $128,263.80; CBO Shannon Black, $114,548.85; Clerk Ashley Sage, $102,486.83.
Powerlifter representing Canada at World Games
The team members at the Ayr Tim Hortons held a celebration and send-off for their colleague Marley Gayler who is representing Canada at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany in June.
Gayler, 27, is a powerlifter, who participates in a number of other sports including track, crossfit and softball.
About 89 athletes will represent Canada at the games. There were two training camps held to choose the athletes, one in Toronto and one in Vancouver.
Athletes from about 190 countries are expected to attend the games.
The opening ceremonies will be held on June 17, and may be televised on ESPN.
CONSTRUCTION AT SCHMIDT PARK North Dumfries Canada Day celebration will be moved to Cowan Park this year
For this year, the Canada Day celebration for North Dumfries residents is being moved to Cowan Park at the North Dumfries Community Complex in Ayr.
According to Community Services Director Karen Winter, the move is due to construction at Schmidt Park.
“We are just finalizing the park layout,” said Winter.
The popular event has typically drawn over 1,000 spectators with a giant fireworks display at dusk.
The entertainment headliner is Electric Crush, dubbed “Ontario’s Best Cover Band”. Comprised of members Cheryl Menzies, Luke Fletcher, Josh Learn and Jason Shine, the group covers a wide range from Bruno Mars, Pat Benatar, Kelly Clarkson to Lynyrd Skynyrd, Van Halen, and Iron Maiden.
The event begins at 6:00 p.m. and will include children’s entertainment, food, and a hockey challenge.
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