On January 22, Niverville’s town council revealed details of their 2019 budget at a public open house held at the Heritage Centre. This year, residents will see a two percent increase on their property taxes, amounting to an extra $35 in taxes on the average home. Waste collection levies will remain the same for the third consecutive year.
All but one municipal department saw an increase in their allotted budgets this year, ranging from five to 97 percent. Environment Development was reduced by almost three percent. One department seeing a significant increase is Public Health and Welfare. Council has budgeted an additional $23,000 toward improved landscaping and long-term planning of the Hespeler Cemetery.
Economic Development also saw a marked increase of nearly $45,000. This funding will be used to continue investing in sponsorship and marketing tools to draw attention to the community as a commercial and industrial hub in the southeast. Some of these monies have also been set aside for the fiftieth anniversary celebration of Niverville’s incorporation as a town. Eric King, Niverville’s CAO, says they expect to release details of the upcoming celebrations shortly.
The biggest increase, by far, is the addition of almost $20 million for recreation expenditures, virtually doubling the department’s annual budget. Recreation initiatives for 2019 include hiring another recreation programmer, building the first phase of the Hespeler Park playground, and working towards a pedestrian corridor across the CP rail tracks.
Should higher-level government grants be approved for the proposed Community Resource Centre, the budget will further allow for the construction of the facility, as well as the reconstruction and paving of Arena Road and Centre Street.
“If we get a grant from the Province and Feds, we intend to build in 2019 with our money, donated money, and theirs,” says King. “If no grant funding comes available to us, then we need to re-evaluate.”
In the area of Protective Services, council hopes to see the re-opening of the Niverville RCMP Office and expand the role of bylaw enforcement in the community. Council is also working to invest in their emergency preparedness plan.
The development of a permanent compost facility is in the works. Town utilities will receive some budget funding with the installation of additional fire hydrants in the under-serviced areas of Niverville, bringing these areas closer to meeting fire protection standards. Funds will also be set aside for future lagoon expansion and the new 13-year sewer renewal program for core area of town, set to begin construction in 2020. Finally, restoration work will begin on the Fifth Avenue lakes to repair areas where erosion has taken place.
