The City of Dryden is seeking your input on the 2020 municipal budget.
A special public meeting was held last night (Monday), giving Treasurer Steven Lansdell-Roll a chance to update the current situation and the budget process.
Lansdell-Roll says they are faced with challenges.
“A lot of uncertainty. Uncertainty of the municipal impact of the provincial budget. We still don’t know what the levy impact is going to be for the social services.”
Provincial downloading costs were delayed until 2020 to give municipalities more time to adjust to the 2019 Ontario budget.
Lansdell-Roll adds the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund gives the City roughly $2-million, but there is no word on if that funding will continue.
Lansdell-Roll took time at the meeting to outline where tax dollars go.
-Transportation, road costs, snow clearing: $0.31 per tax dollar
-Policing: $0.21
-Recreation and Culture: Roughly $0.12
-Social Services: $0.11
Lansdell-Roll says the main priority remains paying down the debt.
“2019 was the second the second largest debt servicing costs since I’ve been here and 2020 is basically at the same level. Just under $3.4-million.
He adds “Starting in 2021. Our debt servicing comes to right around $1.1-million. So, almost $2.3-million of debt servicing is coming off our books.”
The City hopes to have the entire debt paid off by 2030, but Council and staff note municipalities always have to borrow money.
To provide your input on the 2020 budget and what you want to see, e-mail budget2020@dryden.ca
