Successful Budget
Deliberations in Petrolia – 3% Municipal Tax Rate Increase Proposed, 0%
Variable Water Rate Increase Approved
Petrolia, ON – Petrolia Town Council
deliberated the draft 2025 municipal budget yesterday. The proposed budget would see a proposed 3%
increase to the Municipal tax rate, with a 3% increase in sewer costs, and a 0%
increase to the variable water rates with a $15.00 fixed monthly rate.
The
session concluded with Council providing direction to
staff to amend the 2025 draft budget to reflect the following:
- Council directed staff to amend
the fixed water rate to $15.00 and to proceed with a 0% increase to the
variable water rate.
- Council approved a
recommendation from the Scotiabank Committee that will see the Scotiabank
property used for a retail/commercial rental space in the front half, and a
community meeting room with a Petrolia memorabilia display in the back half of
the facility. Council approved $65,000 in upgrades for the facility that
include an accessible washroom, alarm system, and new side entrance door.
- Council directed staff to pay
a stipend of $1,500.00 annually to Town Crier, Les Whiting, instead of
responding to out-of-pocket expenses requests.
- Council directed staff to add
an additional $500.00 to Council Donations for the Lambton County Seniors
Committee to use as required for promotional materials and events.
- Council directed finance to
look at seeking loan funding for construction of appropriate decontamination
station and accessible washrooms in 2025 for the Fire Hall; and that the Fire
Chief and Joint Fire Committee in preparation for the changes to legislation
that will dictate the installation of proper decontamination station at the
Fire Department return with a proposal, and that an agreement be established
with the Township of Enniskillen to allow the Township the financial
flexibility to re-pay their 40% over a reasonable period of time.
- Council directed staff to
return to Council with a quote to rent decontamination showers to be located at
the Fire Station in the interim.
- Council directed staff to take
$250,000.00 from the Capital Reserve to extend road resurfacing and sidewalk
replacements. Resurfacing work will now be completed on First Avenue from
Petrolia Line to Garden Crescent (if possible), and on Pettibone Street. Sidewalk
replacement will be completed on First Avenue and on Fifth and Third Streets
between First and Fourth Streets.
A
Motion was passed Regarding – Provincial OPP contract
Whereas
municipalities across Ontario experienced as significant increase in the OPP
provincial policing contracts expenses recently released The town of Petrolia
would like to state our concern with the 21.5% increase to our municipality and
this effect across the province; AND WHEREAS the provincial auditor stated the
OPP do not have processes in places to deliver police services effectiveness
and with NOW therefore THAT council send a letter to the Minster, Premier,
MPP Bailey, and municipalities across Ontario to request that the province
provide financial assistance to offset the large percentage increases that are
difficult for small municipalities to adjust to each year.
The
Proposed 2025 Fee Schedule was approved with the following amendments:
- THAT
Schedule “D” – Greenwood Recreation Centre be increased by 3% from the 2024 fee
and rounded to the next dollar.
- THAT
Schedule “G” – Fire Department – inclusion of a line for “Lock Box” with a fee
set for “at cost”. These will be installed at most Petrolia business’
Following the approval of the
draft 2025 Budget, staff plan to proceed with several capital projects
including:
- The resurfacing of First
Avenue from Petrolia Line to Garden Crescent (if possible).
- New Dugouts at Diamond 1.
- Sidewalk program expenditures
on First Avenue, Third and Fifth Streets between First Avenue and Fourth Street.
- Community recreation project
amenities.
- New washrooms with
decontamination showers at the Petrolia and North Enniskillen Fire Hall.
- Major construction on the
Water Treatment Plant Intake will start in 2025.
Chief Administrative
Officer/Treasurer, Rick Charlebois said, “Council reviewed the draft 2025
budget with staff, and I am very pleased with the process and what was accomplished
for the future of Petrolia. Staff spend
many hours preparing their best advice for Council, and I would like to thank
them for their expertise.”
Mayor R. Brad Loosley
was, “…pleased with the detailed information that staff prepared for Council’s
consideration.” Mayor Loosley added, “I
would like to thank Rick and his team for this comprehensive draft budget, and
I would like to thank Council for their feedback and participation in the
review process.”
A Public Budget Meeting
is planned for Monday, December 2, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in person at Victoria
Hall Council Chambers, where all are welcome.
The Public Meeting will feature a presentation by Chief Administrative
Officer/Treasurer Rick Charlebois. Staff
plan to bring the proposed 2025 budget to Council on December 9, 2024, at the
Regular Meeting of Council.
