Sharpen your pencils, because the 2022 draft budget for the Town of Collingwood is moving to public consultations next week, and the town wants to hear from you.
The budget – which allocates $116.3 million in total spending between operating ($64.5 million) and capital ($51.8 million) – represents a one per cent increase on tax bills.
In a breakdown of capital expenditures slated for 2022, town treasurer Monica Quinlan notes that funding sources for capital projects are varied.
“Much of the funding for these projects comes from reserve funds, grants from the federal or provincial government or development charges. About one per cent, or $533,500, is being taken from 2022 taxes,” she noted.
Among the higher-priced capital projects are roads and public transit expenditures, which include the widening of Mountain Road ($4.8 million) and the Minnesota Storm Sewer Repair project ($5.1 million).
Parks, Recreation and Culture’s capital projects in 2022 include initial expenditures for multi-year projects such as the Enviropark replacement ($1.5 million), Harbourview Splash Pad ($1.3 million), and $750,000 for shoreline restoration at Sunset Point Park.
Centennial Aquatic Centre will need facility maintenance and improvements to the tune of $450,000.
New fire bunker gear for Collingwood firefighters will come at a cost of $120,000. Edraulic units (battery operated extrication tools) will cost $40,000.
Renovations on the Collingwood OPP building on Minnesota Street will cost $265,000.
A significant amount of the capital budget will be going to the water treatment plant, with $660,000 going toward refurbishment, $11.6 million toward the expansion and $500,000 going toward membrane filter replacements.
In 2021, Collingwood’s population was approximately 26,050. Also this past year, the town’s customer service department handled over 14,000 inquiries, approximately 40 to 50 per cent higher than 2020 volumes.
SEE MORE: Collingwood’s 2022 draft budget proposes 1% tax increase
Last week, council voted unanimously in favour of moving toward public consultation of the 2022 draft budget.
An in-person and virtual public consultation session is planned for Nov. 30. The virtual public consultation will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. on Zoom, while an in-person session will take place at the Collingwood Public Library in Community Rooms B and C from 7 to 9 p.m. Proof of double vaccination is required to attend the in-person session.
After public consultation, one more draft will go before council prior to final ratification at the end of December.
For more information on the 2022 Collingwood draft budget, click here.
