SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
THE
COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 50 ISSUE 50
DRAYTON, ONTARIO
1 Year GIC - 2.30% 3 Year GIC - 2.72% 5 Year GIC - 2.95% Daily Interest 2.25%*
638-3328
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017
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Township on target for 10% levy hike in municipal budget By Patrick Raftis DRAYTON – The average residential tax bill in Mapleton will rise by about $177 next year, based on current budget projections. Mapleton council and township staff outnumbered members of the public 11 to six, at a public presentation of the proposed 2018 budget at a special council meeting at the PMD arena on Dec. 6. “Continued responsible planning,� is the theme of the budget process, finance director Karmen Krueger told those present. “You’ve been fortunate to have a council that’s been proactive and progressive in their thinking for future capital planning and we’re continuing that course with this proposed budget.� The budget, as currently drafted, calls for local expenditures of about $11.6 million next year, compared to just over $10.8 million budgeted in 2017. The projected 2018 tax levy of $7.36 million is up by about $697,000 or slightly more than 10 per cent from the budgeted 2017 levy of roughly $6,661,000. Based on estimated education and county taxes, the township is projecting a blended tax rate increase to residential property owners of under 4%. The blended rate increase in 2017 was about 2.6%. The average residential assessment in Mapleton, $335,000 in 2017, has risen to approximately $350,000 this year. Property taxes on a $350,000 home are estimated at $4,690 for 2018, an increase of $177 a year or $15 per month, Krueger explained. By comparison, a farm property (excluding a residence) valued at $350,000 would pay approximately $1,172 in taxes, based on the 25 per cent tax rate for qualifying farmland. Krueger noted that farm tax dollars make up about 20 per cent of the local taxes raised, or approximately $1.4 million. However, local ratepayer Liz Samis pointed out the 20% figure only includes farmable land, while many rural properties also include land that is “bush, scrub land or unworkable or non-productive.�
Budget time - Mapleton Township council addressed 2018 budget topics with members of the public at a special meeting at the PMD arena on Dec. 5. From left: Mayor Neil Driscoll and councillors Dennis Craven and Marlene Ottens. Photo by Patrick Raftis She said rural properties contribute a much greater share of total tax revenue. “We feel, from a rural standpoint, with our residences (which are taxed at the normal residential rate) ... we were carrying about 67 per cent of the township budget ‌ so it’s a question of how you do the numbers,â€? said Samis. Krueger acknowledged, “I’m strictly talking about those properties that are eligible for the 25 per cent tax rate. “There’s likely all kinds of other lands that are either scrub or unusable or even have other varying proposes that are vacant that aren’t receiving that credit for whatever reason, so those would fall under the residential pool of ratepayers.â€? Figures presented at the meeting indicate a commercial property valued at $350,000 would pay slightly less than 1.5 times the residential ratio, or $7,035 in local taxes, but would pay proportionally more in education taxes. Industrial properties pay 2.4 times the residential ratio. Commercial and industrial properties make up about 11% of local taxes, or about $820,000. Krueger said the township is projecting a net revenue increase of around $65,000 from such areas as increased revenues from parks and recreation and facility rentals and an increased share of gas tax and Ontario Community Infrastructure Funding. The township is also anticipating reductions in costs for economic development and operation of the
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medical centre in Drayton. For the first time costs for street lighting will be blended with the total tax levy, rather than area rated. “We sort of took the approach of distributing those costs a bit more fairly because everybody takes advantage of street lights, unless you never go into town, ever,â€? Krueger explained. The township is estimating an increase of about 2.25 per cent (about $65,000) in total wage costs. The wage figure includes a general wage increase of 1.3 per cent based on the Consumer Price Index, combined with staff progressions through the existing salary grid. Employer costs of benefits will also increase by about $12,000. The township is also budgeting for a $15,000 combined increase to the levies it pays to the Grand River and Maitland Valley conservation authorities. By far the largest share of township expenditures goes towards roads and bridges, on which Mapleton projects spending about $4.9 million, or 42% of the total budget. Parks and recreation, at just under $2 million, and administration, at just over $1 million, represent the next largest areas, aside from water and wastewater, at $1.2 million, which does not impact the tax levy as it is factored into water and wastewater user fees. However, local resident Don Culp questioned why existing system users would pay, through user fees, for a SEE TAXES Âť 3
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Sweet fundraiser - Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation development officer Dale Franklin received a donation of $48 from Drayton Heights Public School students Cali Dobben, Mylie Moore and Brooke Mettler. The students sold hot chocolate to teachers and kindergarten students at the school in order to raise funds to be used for children at the Palmerston hospital. Photo by Caroline Sealey
Amber Tuck new president of revamped local chamber By Caroline Sealey DRAYTON - After months of planning, the reorganized Mapleton Chamber of Commerce held its annual general meeting and membership drive. The Nov. 29 meeting at the Drayton Festival Theatre focused on a vision for the future and included the election of officers. Mapleton resident Greg Durocher opened the meeting and officiated the election of the board. The newly-elected Chamber of Commerce executive consists of: president Amber Tuck; treasurer Cathy Burton; secretary Dale Franklin; vice-presidents Jenn Landman, Wayne Mick and Donna Hirtle; and directors Jocelyn Martin, Dave Taylor, Beth Anne Rumph and Jeff Duimering. Memberships were accepted from 25 businesses in Mapleton Township. Guest speaker for the evening event was Johnston Group vice president of chamber relations Dave Angus of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
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The former president and CEO of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Angus has been involved with that chamber for a number of years. The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1873, six months before the City of Winnipeg was formed. Through the chamber, Angus and his parents were able to build relationships, secure suppliers and seek out practical advice for their family-run business. As a volunteer with the chamber, Angus played a vital role in the navigation process during the purchase of a house to facilitate the chamber, by working with city staff and councillors and seeing the project through to completion. The chamber also advocated for and provided recommendations to government bodies. “Every individual can make a difference,� Angus said. “Mobile signs, used as a way to get the message out by business owners, were banned in the city of
Winnipeg. “Mobile sign companies found that during the process of discussions with the city, they needed the chamber’s help. The ban was lifted and the mobile sign companies joined the chamber.â€? The chamber is a platform for different ideas. Angus said action is needed to bring those ideas to fruition or they can flitter away. He said business owners need to come together with a respectful attitude when around the table discussing the community and the businesses within it. “The chamber does not sit in the stands. The group is about finding solutions while on the field in the huddle, mixing things up,â€? Angus said. “The chamber as an international network has no other international brand as powerful as it is. The organization is highly respected and ready to be leveraged.â€? With group insurance not affordable to most businesses, chamber groups partnered with an organization SEE REVAMPED Âť 3
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