Bluewater Council had their annual budget meeting on April 19th.
There was talk about increasing the tax rate to 1.92 percent but council thought it would be a better fit to keep it at a 1.36 percent increase.
To do this, council moved $52,000 from the roads department to make the levy 1.36 percent.
All of council was in agreement and restored the original levy.
Council also agreed on spending 10 percent of the Vibrancy fund on community grants, 60 percent of the fund on current year projects and 30 percent of the funds are maintained in the reserve to fund future sustainability.
Bluewater received $567,050 from Industrial Wind Turbines to use for the Vibrancy fund.
The historical causes of budget increases were in costs for heat, hydro, and water as well as levies imposed on Bluewater through the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA).
This year these factors are still exhibiting upward pressures while we are in a second year of significant increases from Insurance rates on the levy amount. The combined impact of projections for these responsibilities in 2022, is approximately 0.88% or $74,340.
The Capital projects are items that have built into the current document allowing Council to see the list of projects needed.
Some of the Capital projects include; playground replacements, Zurich ballpark infield fence, replacing aluminum bleachers in various locations, Varna baseball Field netting and Christmas light features & light posts.
