Capital budget takes shape
By Chris Simon

From computers and walkways to vehicles and a new police station, over $15 million in projects are one step away from becoming reality.

An Innisfil committee passed the town's 2008 capital budget, which would allocate over $15.4 million in funding for various road, parks and recreation, water, wastewater, planning and town vehicle construction, maintenance and purchases next year.

The budget, which still needs to be approved by town council, increased by almost $358,000 over last year, representing a 2.8 per cent tax levy increase.

However, several much needed projects would receive funding, if the budget were approved as proposed, said treasurer Ian Goodfellow.

"The goal is to deliver the (projects) in 2008," he said.

"(Extra funding) is needed in the 2008 budget, which translates into a 2.8 per cent tax levy increase."

Among the projects planned, the Police Services Board would receive $2.4 million for a new and expanded police station, the proposed Cookstown library and community centre would get nearly $1.5 million, and Innisfil Beach Park would get $300,000 for a walkway.

The parking lot at the Stroud Arena would get $250,000 in reconstruction funding, while $159,000 would be spent on a dehumidifier for the site. About $200,000 would also be spent on beach front washrooms at Innisfil Beach, said Goodfellow.

Many of the projects deal with public safety concerns. Specifically, the funding for police services will help meet future growth demands, said Goodfellow.

"This is to provide for current needs and future growth," he said.

Several other areas would also receive funding, if the budget were approved as proposed.

Throughout the town, over $54,000 would pay for new computers, printers and phones, nearly $51,000 would be used for the installation of a new data system and security network, and about $50,000 would be spent on a customer service survey.

About $200,000 would be allocated towards the purchase of land in Lefroy for the Innisfil Public Library.

Over $28,000 would also be spent on a new portable water pump, while nearly $24,000 would be used to purchase a breathing apparatus, both for emergency services.

Part of the budget has already been passed by town council. In an effort to push roads projects ahead, town council approved its Roads and Related Infrastructure capital budget last week.

However, councillors want to be cautious passing the remainder of the budget, to ensure tax rates remain as low as possible, said mayor Brian Jackson.

The capital budget is expected to be passed within the next month, while the town's overall operating budget will likely be approved by council in February.

"I'm hoping as council goes through this, we look at the items which impact (costs), they're primarily in parks, roads and a small amount in fleet," he said. "There may be a tool on this side of the table we can use when dealing with the (overall) operating budget that we're going to set for this municipality."

Along with the 2008 capital budget, council also received a list of projects and financial plans for the following four years.

While the list will be used as a guideline for capital projects during the next few years, it currently calls for millions of dollars to be spent on the construction of a GO Transit station, a wastewater treatment plant expansion, a fire hall in Alcona and work for the Innisfil Heights and Big Bay Point areas, among other items.

"The goal was to provide council with a comprehensive, single source to find out what the needs are, and to demonstrate how staff have creatively juggled the needs, to defer some initiatives and reuse equipment," said Goodfellow. "This is something staff have been working on since June ... we're looking at passing budget three months earlier than last year, which is cause for celebration."

Others say the forecast is handy, and allows councillors to look at the town's long-term funding obligations.

"I've never really understood the five year forecast, I thought it was way too far to do," said councillor Lynn Dollin. "I now get it. You talk about the initial investments being made and now it's showing up. (For example) we have to work now, to take advantage of our computer depreciation rate."

Most of this year's funding is paid for by casino revenues, development charges, long-term debt financing, gasoline taxes and reserves.