GRAVENHURST – Assuming there’s no major outcry or last-minute necessities, the Town of Gravenhurst’s 2013 municipal budget will get its approval this coming Tuesday, March 19.
Unless there are any major changes, local ratepayers will be seeing a 1.4 per cent on their tax bills this year, district and educational portion included, for a total of about $17.20 more per $100,000 of property assessment, according to deputy mayor and finance chair Jeff Watson.
Mayor Paisley Donaldson said the budget will be a key focus during council’s meeting March 19. She said the meeting will start at 2 p.m. in council chambers with an hour available for people to make any last comments on the draft before it is finalized. Council will follow the public portion with their own debate if any councillors feel that is necessary.
Some of the projects planned for the year ahead include fairly major improvements to Peninsula Road, work to the Narrows Bridge, a couple of culverts around Riley Lake, improvements to the volleyball courts at Gull Lake park, and council will begin the process to have a new HVAC system installed at the Opera House. Although not a huge ticket item, costing a little more than $20,000 per year, council has included lifeguard services in the budget again for 2013, after debating its removal in deliberations last year. An additional approximately $25,000 has also been included to help implement the town’s proposed facade improvement program.