Municipality of McDougall Mayor
Dale Robinson

MAYOR'S MESSAGE - JUNE, 2006

Dear McDougall Taxpayer,

McDougall Council would like to update you on some of the issues impacting your 2006 municipal taxes. We have worked with staff to prepare a budget that is cost effective yet delivers the services that we have all come to expect from your municipality. This newsletter should explain some of the decision making that we made on your behalf, however please feel free to contact Council or staff if you have any further questions.

Although many fixed costs that are out of the control of the local council escalated this year, such as policing, home for the aged, social services, library services and land ambulance, McDougall Council is pleased to announce a balanced budget with a zero increase in the average property taxation.

Council would like to make all taxpayers aware that 2006 is a reassessment year across the Province and as such the Parry Sound District saw some of the largest jumps in property values. The Municipality of McDougall averaged an increase of 23% per property reassessment. Although values accelerated by such a huge amount, Council and Department heads struggled with holding the line on expenditures and looked for new sources of revenues. Council found some reprieve from increasing expenses through the help of additional government funding from the new “Gas Tax” and the one time roads and bridges grant that was introduced in March. As well, new assessment from real growth (due to new building and renovations) allowed for an additional $82,000 in tax revenue.

Although very few people in McDougall will actually see the same tax levy as last year, the overall effect of the budget exercise is a reduction of the municipal tax rate by 23% to offset the assessment growth. Within McDougall boundaries this equates to a net decrease in taxes payable to 1007 properties and a net increase to 1525 properties.

The Municipality will undergo scheduled minor capital works on the following roads; Hurdville, Long Lake Estates, Pinewood, McDougall, Lorimer Lake, the Bunny Trail, Oakridge, and Kirkham. Council also increased staffing over the past three years to improve municipal services with the hiring of a new Treasurer, full time Chief Building Official, increased staffing within By-law & Landfill services, and more water and wastewater staff. As well, the municipality is also undergoing major capital works with the upgrades to the Nobel water system and the McDougall landfill site.

Council’s goal with this year’s budget was to try to manage all of the needs of the municipality and still keep a firm hold on taxes. With the Nobel Water Project scheduled for completion this year, the burden on many property owners within Nobel will be tremendous and as such Council wanted to alleviate some pressure by sticking firm on the tax levy. McDougall Council think that this budget is a reflection of the time we are in whereby Provincial funding is shrinking more each year and the burden of operating costs and infrastructure needs are starting to squeeze the flexibility of the municipality’s priorities. While attempting to be responsible with tax payer needs and fiscal stability, the 2006 budget is an indication of high-quality management practices of McDougall’s scarce municipal resources.

Budget Highlights

  • Provincial Roads and Bridges one time grant $277,000
  • Federal Gas Tax funding of $100,000
  • Completion of the Nobel Water Works Project totaling $6,700,000. Current OSTAR Funding for water project $4,150,656.
  • McDougall Landfill - Completion of Environmental Assessments, Compliance Plans and Environmental Protection Studies. Site Development and tendering on new landfill cells totaling over $7,500,000 to be constructed between 2006 and 2008 adding 25 years of capacity to existing site. COMRIF Funding announcement for landfill project totaling $5,000,000
  • Non-controllable expenses – Police, Social Services, Health Unit, Home for the Aged, Ambulance, Library additional levies totaling $98,000
  • Road Capital Projects totaling $523,000
  • Increased Staffing costs totaling $85,000
  • New ATV and additional HURST rescue equipment for the Fire Department
  • Extending water up Municipal Drive to service Public Works Garage and Fire Department
  • Expanding Parks/Recreation services at Taylor Beach boat launch, George Hunt boat launch, Beaver Trail Park, Nine Mile Lake Park, Nobel Rink Upgrades, and the development of a recreation trail.

On behalf of Council and Staff, I would like to wish you a safe and happy summer, have fun playing in McDougall.