Making sense of Innisfil's budget
A political point of view
By Brian Jackson Mayor, Town of Innisfil

Each week, The Scope will feature a column from Innisfil's political leaders. This week, Brian Jackson explains the town's proposed 2008 Operating Budget. Once a month, Jackson will also answer letters from Scope readers. If you have a question for the mayor, please send an e-mail to thescope@rogers.com.

Congratulations to the editor and staff of The Scope for their new format.

Thank you for this opportunity to submit articles that council is dealing with. These articles will attempt to provide insight to various issues that affect our residents and their community.

The first article will address the 2008 Operating Budget.

The projected municipal tax levy increase for 2008 was forecasted at 26.11 per cent in early 2007. At the start of 2008 budget deliberations, staff had reduced that estimate to 22.1 per cent. At the Jan. 9 budget meeting, which was open to the public, 21 initiatives were reviewed by council. These 21 initiatives included such items as increased level of service for the community, additional funding for new staff hires, increasing user fees and prudent financial planning. On completion of the debate, council removed approximately $1 million from the draft budget. As a result, the municipal portion of the tax levy increase was lowered to 12.6 per cent or $111.13 per average household.

Council provided staff with direction to prepare a budget with a municipal increase of no greater than 9.5 per cent or approximately $83 per average household. A major impact on the municipal tax rate for 2008 is the financing and operation of the new Town Hall and Innisfil Recreation Complex, which is responsible for 40 per cent of the increase. A further 22 per cent of the potential tax increase relates to the annualized staff wages and benefits.

After including estimates for the county, South Simcoe Police and the provincial education tax - which council has no control over - the estimated increase to the taxpayer for the combined tax rate would be 5.17 per cent or $145.56. Of the $145.56 tax rate is responsible for 32.3 per cent or 32.3 cents of every dollar. The remaining 67.7 per cent is collected on behalf of the County of Simcoe, police services and the province.

Council expects to receive the final 2008 Operating Budget early in February. For further information, please contact the mayor's office at 436- 3710.