For the first time in years, Dryden taxpayers will be paying more in taxes.
Council has approved a 3.91% increase (approximately $570,000) as part of the 2022 municipal budget.
There are no service level reductions in the fiscal document.
The budget also includes a 10% hike in water and sewer rates, which was approved by Council in December 2021.
Treasurer Steven Lansdell-Roll says the increase was required to fund water and sewer operations this year, capital work, as well as strengthen water/sewer reserves for future projects.
The capital budget includes $7.65 million in spending.
-$4.74 million from external sources (government grant programs)
-$1.13 million from reserves and reserve funds
-$858,000 from taxation
-Roughly $860,000 from water rate revenue
-Roughly $860,000 from sewer rate revenue
Lansdell-Roll notes police transition costs to the OPP were a major factor in this years budget.
The breakdown includes: (Approximate figures)
-$1.1 million in increased operating costs (2021 to 2022)
-$1.7 million in estimated uniformed police disbandment costs, funded through a transfer from the Legacy Reserve Fund
-$372,000 in estimated civilian police disbandment costs, funded through a transfer the General Operating Reserve
-$723,000 in one-time OPP “Start-Up” costs, funded through a transfer from the General Capital Reserve Fund
-$416,000 in on-time OPP facility upgrades, funded through a transfer from the Emergency Capital Reserve
Other budget notices include: (Approximate figures)
-$107,000 reduction in OMPF funding
-$216,000 in estimated labour (salary and benefit) inflation (union and non-union)
-$82,000 or 15% in increased insurance premiums
-$611,000 in allocations to reserves/reserve funds from operations ($198,000 to the Waterfront Development Reserve Fund, $9,000 to the Dryden Fire Services Apparatus and Equipment Reserve Fund, $60,000 to the General Capital Reserve Fund, $20,000 to the Land Sale Reserve Fund, $139,000 to the Sanitary/Wastewater Reserve Fund and $185,000 to the Waterworks Reserve Fund
-$1.06 million in debt servicing costs
-$302,000 in RATI funding allocated to the Airport to balance the facilities 2022 operating budget
