Kincardine’s 2022 draft budget calls for a 6.8 per cent tax increase.
The proposed spending plan in Kincardine for next year was presented by staff to councillors at a meeting on Wednesday. It would see the annual tax bill for a homeowner of an averaged assessed property ($275,000) in the municipality increase by $138.
“The Municipality of Kincardine faces increasing demands as the community continues to grow,” says Acting Chief Administrative Officer Roxana Baumann. “The proposed 2022 budget reflects the need to enhance and maintain local infrastructure, support increasing public services, and focus on attracting a strong and diverse workforce, while also acknowledging the continued impact of Covid on the municipality and our community.”
Kincardine’s 2022 budget includes an $11.58-million capital program. The replacement of water meters in the municipality and radio read equipment ($2.5-million), a fire department pumper ($650,000) and a new plow/sander ($300,000) are among the investments.
Salaries and benefits make up 34 per cent of the total operating budget for the municipality next year ($11.59-million) and increase 8.9 per cent on a year-over-year basis. A budget document says the implementation of organizational review and restructuring of municipal departments are among the factors for the increase in salaries and benefits costs.
To modernize information systems and communications technology and improve service delivery, the 2022 operating budget includes $342,000 in software contracts and computer hardware purchases.
The municipality offers a Community Investment Grants (CIG) program that provides a total of $60,000 in grant funding to various charitable and non-profit organizations that have a positive impact on the quality of life in the community.