mayor gord krantz

Milton’s Budget Passes & Levy With A Twist

Mike Cluett

Just an FYI… according to reports today CPI rose to 2.4% in December.  Rate of increase in town portion of budget spending was 3.58% (add in 1.0% levy) for 4.58%. 

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2011/01/25/inflation-canada.html

Last night council continued its marathon discussions on the budget and other items almost until the wee hours of the morning.  Since taking office we have yet to finish a meeting before 11pm.  Tiring pace to say the least, but that’s why we were elected.

In addition to debating the 1% tax levy for hospital expansion, the meeting included a number of pubic sessions for input on future developments around town.  One of the contentious items was looking at the zoning for the north side of Main Street near Thompson Road.  Business owners made a pitch to council, of which some of it made sense, about allowing certain types of zoning for that area that will help them decrease their vacancy rates and have more businesses in town.  They are right.  This area is the new gateway to the community with the Milton Centre for the Arts and the Superstore at that intersection.  The zoning that is being allowed is still quite flexible but staff and council still had concerns when it comes to the types of zoning and the potential parking issues that might arise.  Its not a dead end for the business owners, as they can still apply for zoning changes.  The big thing that had to be considered is the development of the Main Street underpass and what the area will look like in the future.  Thats getting underway this year and next…hopefully it wont take too long.  My personal opinion is that this underpass should have already been started so that when its complete it can compliment the Arts Centre.  As it stands now, we might have some traffic issues from people on the west side of town coming towards that area using residential streets like Woodward, Nippising and Childs to get to the Arts Centre…but that’s a debate for another day.

After all the public meetings were complete, council moved to discuss “ITEM 18” from the budget which was the 1% tax levy for the hospital expansion.  Many of the same arguments were brought up again both on the pro and against sides of the arguement so really nothing new was discussed.  In the end, via a recorded vote, the results were the same.

In Favour of the 1% tax levy:  Clr Di Lorenzo, Hamid, Best, Lunau, Barkley, Huffman.

Against the 1% tax levy:  Clr Cluett, Nelson, Lambert, Malbouef and Mayor Krantz.

We could continue to debate this forever on the “how” we get the funding until sometime next year.  The points that I made were simple.  We needed to have public input on this item as we HAVE the opportunity to do so.  Some have stated taxes only as a last resort, but I honestly don’t feel that we’re there yet.  We have the time to garner input and support from the public on this and move forward in less of a fractured way.  The Chief of Staff at MDH along with the COO of MDH made presentations last night in support as they feel a fund is “critical” towards getting approval from the province.

The original staff motion in this budget was to have $100,000 from the community fund (funded by slot revenues and not tax dollars) placed into the reserve fund as a deposit to get it going and show the province we’ve put hard dollars into place.  The tax levy motion introduced by Councillor Lunau replaced that $100,000 with the 1% on taxpayers bills.  That $100,000 was later put back into the community fund through a notice of motion from Councillor Huffman to start a “matching” program with Milton service clubs.

An interesting development occurred last night when the Town Clerk informed us that the wording of the motion went against the municipal act.  You cant initiate a tax levy on just one taxpayer.  It has to be included in everyone’s tax bills including commercial, industrial and retail taxpayers.  This complicates the issue even more as many of the businesses in town (downtown Milton etc) are small businesses.  I know many of these people and they find it quite difficult to stay afloat and now we have added an additional 1% to their tax bill as well.  Again, without any consultation with the public whatsoever.

The reality is that the tax is here.  I did my best to convince my colleagues that it wasn’t the right thing to do right now.  We have more time and we should use it to get the job done right and involve the people in the decision making process.  The job now is to work with residents to educate them on whats going on in this process with the province, and what we will have to do in the future to fund this hospital expansion fund….without going BACK into taxpayers pockets with this levy.

I’d like to thank everyone over the past week who has emailed, called or personally spoken with me on this issue.  Some of us will disagree with what happened but an overwhelming number of you were in support of the public consultation process and wish we did more.  I promise I will do my best in the coming weeks and months to help that process along so that way we don’t have any more surprises like this and we work together as a town and most importantly as a unified council to get the desired result.  Only time will tell if it’ll work of if it does, we wont really know if by doing this it made the difference.  Milton is in competition with about 55 other municipalities who are struggling to do the right thing as well.  They are raising money…a lot more than we are. 

The need is there for Milton.  That’s not in doubt.  I will continue to pressure local officials to help me in convincing the province to recognize Milton, Canada’s fastest growing municipality, is in dire need of expansion of any kind to help improve the quality of health care services in town.  Whatever services our new hospital will have … we need something now.

Lets work together now to ensure that happens.

Hospital Levy Increases Tax Hike By 1%

Mike Cluett

From the Milton Canadian Champion

Christina Commisso, Milton Canadian Champion

Town staff presented the budget committee a 2011 budget with a 4.86 per cent hike and included options to bring that percentage down to 1.66 per cent. The committee approved a 2011 budget with a 4.58 per cent tax increase.

A passionate debate extended into the early morning and left council divided, after a motion to introduce a last-minute hospital expansion tax narrowly passed with a 6-5 vote.

The motion to establish the 1 per cent levy came late in the budget deliberations, after the budget committee, which is made up of the mayor and all councillors, had settled on a 3.58 per cent increase on the local share of residential taxes (29 per cent of the property tax bill).

Ward 3 Councillor Cindy Lunau introduced the motion, which was followed by an impassioned speech that drew applause from the gallery in Council Chambers Monday night.

“You can try every way to say this community has grown to point where this is such a critical need that we as a council will go out on a limb, before we know what the price is, to get our piggy banks ready,” she said of the levy, which translates to a yearly increase of $8.89 for the average Milton home.

“It’s a small amount, but it will never be used for anything else but local share expansion. We need to show the Province we really are ready. There are a lot of communities out there saying they need a hospital — we have to say that we’re a community you can count on.”

Along with Lunau, voting in favour of the levy were councillors Colin Best, Sharon Barkley, Arnold Huffman, Rick Di Lorenzo and Zeeshan Hamid. Voting against the increase were Mayor Gord Krantz and councillors Tony Lambert, Greg Nelson, Mike Cluett and Rick Malboeuf — the harshest critic of the levy.

“You’re saying we’ll be sending a message to the Province,” he told Lunau. “My concern is we’ll be sending the wrong message. The message being, look what Milton did. They’re prepared to pick the pockets of taxpayers to fund something we (the Province) should be paying for.”

However, Halton Healthcare Services (HHS) President John Oliver said setting money aside for the expansion is “critical” in influencing the Province to move forward with the much-needed expansion.

“It’s almost a given now; from Sault Ste. Marie to Niagara you’re seeing communities having to step in with the local share burden.”

Last week HHS asked the Town of Halton Hills for $4.5 million for the Georgetown Hospital expansion.

Di Lorenzo said planning for the future renovation well in advance is the fiscally responsible thing to do. “If you think a four per cent increase now is difficult, if we don’t start saving money we’re going to be seeing eight, nine, and 10 per cent increases.”

Huffman added: “It’s our job to make tough decisions, and maybe those decisions are not popular. If I’m wrong, maybe I won’t be elected in four years. But I can do without $10 (a year) to support the beginnings of a new hospital and show the Province we’re serious about this.”

While none of the councillors opposed to the levy were opposed to the expansion, some felt a public meeting was in order before finalizing the increase.

“Where I have some difficulty is the fact mere months after being elected — and after many of us around this table talked about accountability with regards to the voters — I have a very difficult time accepting a 1 per cent tax levy with very little, if not any, public consultation,” said Cluett.

The same sentiments were echoed by Nelson, who reminded council when they voted to support HHS with a contribution for the local share of the expansion this past summer, a new tax was a “last resort.”

“We haven’t even seen the funding options for the hospital yet from finance (department) as to what our options are,” said the downtown councillor. “Is there an urgency —absolutely. But we have time at this point to consult with the public. We 10 people can’t come up with all the answers. We need to research more on the issue.”

The budget committee passed the 4.58 per cent tax increase in a 6-5 vote, with the same councillors who voted against the hospital levy voting against the budget.

Krantz said he wished council would have been able to come to a consensus on the budget, but throughout the evening the mayor maintained he wouldn’t support a local levy above the rate of inflation.

The 1 per cent hospital tax rate adds $2.54 for every $100,000 of residential assessment.

Combined with the regional, local and educational components of residential taxes, which account for 44 per cent, 29 per cent and 27 per cent respectively, Miltonians are looking at an overall tax increase of 2.2 per cent in the urban area and 2.09 per cent in the rural area.

The 2011 budget will be voted on during Monday’s council meeting 

Being Progressive Gets Things Done: Mayor Krantz

Mike Cluett

Here is a recent interview with Mayor Gord Krantz that was published in todays Milton Canadian Champion by Christina Commisso.

Push for education village funding high on mayor’s 2011 to-do list

A lot has changed at Milton’s Town Hall over the last couple of months.

The number of town wards grew from four to eight and six newly-elected councillors took their seats in Council Chambers.

But little has changed in the spacious office occupied by Mayor Gord Krantz in the historic old Town Hall. Overlooking the snowy Victoria Park, 30 years worth of memories fill the walls of the mayor’s office.

Looking forward to his 31st year at the helm of council, Krantz recently sat down with the Champion to reflect on this past year, and discuss what residents can expect in 2011.

In terms of taxes, Krantz echoed the same sentiment time and time again — he won’t support any tax increase above the rate of inflation. In other words, nothing more than 2.5 to 3 per cent.

“A lot of municipalities would kill to be in the position we’re in,” said Krantz, referring the town’s tax rate — the second lowest in the GTA. “That’s what’s attractive to businesses. When private enterprises look to come here, they have a shopping list of requirements and they want to know the town is run well.”

Krantz said the favourable tax rates have kept Milton’s commercial, industrial and residential balance intact, something he’s determined to continue for this term.

However, he does acknowledge the price to run a municipality has increased above the rate of inflation this past year. “The cost of gas, the cost of asphalt, the cost of electricity, they’ve all increased three times the rate of inflation.”

While the long-time Mayor doesn’t advocate cutting services, he said by separating wants and needs, a balanced budget can be achieved. Yet, 2011 will see the opening of costly capital projects — the new arts and entertainment centre, the new main library and the Milton sports centre expansion, just to name a few.

“The new arts centre is a want and a need,” said Krantz, of the $39.3 million project.

A recent report shows operating the building will cost about $1.25 million a year and is expected to generate revenues of $380,500.

“We had to take advantage of the federal and provincial stimulus funding,” said Krantz, adding that without the government funding, the arts centre may have been put on hold for another four to five years.

“It made all the sense in the world to take advantage of that,” he said of the $33.58 million in funding.

In both the budget call report presented to council in August and a 10-year budget forecast presented in December, staff have concluded that revenues of growth won’t fully cover the cost of growth.

“The idea that growth should pay for itself can’t be proven to a reasonable doubt,” said Krantz. “The older community will pay for a bit of the growth and they’re going to use the facilities that the town wouldn’t have had if the growth didn’t happen. The older part of any community pays for a certain portion of new development.”

In terms of operating costs, Krantz said the opening of these facilities will take its toll on the budget. “The arts and entertainment centre and library will never completely pay for itself, but it will get close.”

While he doesn’t expect to see new development take place on the Milton Education Village any time soon, Krantz said high on his 2011 priority list is pushing for funding for the future campus.

The Town has been in talks with Wilfred Laurier University and Sheridan College about opening a Milton campus and earlier this year the Town took possession of the campus lands in Milton’s west end. “It’s important to be progressive and aggressive. That’s how things get done,” said Krantz.

With the development plans for the Boyne survey and Derry Green Business Park off to the Region for approval, Milton’s population is again expected to grow over the next four years — and it won’t happen without growing pains.

Referring to the Main Street and Derry Road underpasses, set to begin construction in 2011 and 2012 respectively, Krantz said he expects to see “a bit of bottleneck.”

He said ideally, developers would front the money to get roadwork done before families move into town, “but developers are not obligated to do that.”

“Often we get the money to build roads a year or two after the homes come in, and that’s where the frustration lies…It’s hard to suggest, but residents are going to have to grin and bear it. Hindsight is great, but there are economic realities to consider.” 

New Years Levee a Huge Success!

Mike Cluett

In what was described by Regional Councillor Colin Best as the highest attended levee, hundreds of people flowed into Milton’s Town Hall to be entertained by some amazing performances and served coffee, tea, and cupcakes by Milton’s Town Councillors.

You remember back in October, councillors were elected to serve the people of Milton…many didn’t think it was so literal.

Nine out of the eleven councillors (two couldn’t make it unfortunately being out of town on family holidays) did their very best in hosting this years Mayor’s New Years Levee at Town Hall.  This event has always been put on by the Milton Historical Society and they did enjoy being on the other side of the event this year.  Many people were amazed at how us councillors were able to serve up these great snacks.

I can tell you from personal experience, although tiring, everyone of us enjoyed doing it.  I was even joking with the other councillors that we could almost form a company and set up a side business in catering 🙂 (Yes we ARE kidding)

It was great to see so many faces, young and old, at the levee (quite a few from Ward 6 as well) and answering questions and exchanging some holiday cheer.  In the Milton Room (the West Wing of Town Hall) there was a presentation on upcoming projects that the town is involved with.  I know for certain Councillors Colin Best and Cindy Lunau were quite busy getting people up to speed on how Milton will change in the coming years.

There was no shortage of entertainment in the lobby as well.  The Milton Seniors “Song Spinners” were a huge hit with the crowd with holiday songs and many in attendance sang along.  “A Capella Showcase” started off the afternoon with renditions of some traditional carols and it was a great way to celebrate a fantastic day.

This event couldn’t have been pulled off without the efforts of Councillor Cindy Lunau.  Many thanks goes to her for coming up with the idea and getting us all organized and ready to serve.  Other thanks goes to our gracious sponsors (I hope I get them all) Troy’s Diner, Tim Horton’s, Flour Girls – great cupcakes – & La Rose Bakery for their treats.

I can honestly say that council members are really looking forward to doing this again.  It definitely adds a personal touch and really exemplifies what a levee is all about…meeting members of council and socializing with fellow residents.

Happy New Year everyone and thanks for coming out.

Anthony with Mayor Gord Krantz
Join us in a song?

New Years Eve & New Years Levee

Mike Cluett

Dont forget that you can join us on New Years Eve at Milton Town Hall for the annual bell ringing with the Mayor & Council.

Join Mayor Gord Krantz, Milton Historical Society and members of town council at Victoria Park to “SING OUT THE OLD & RING IN THE NEW” for an old fashioned New Years Eve celebration.  Bundle up and bring your voices and instruments to sing carols and some holiday cheer.  The Mayor and a special citizen will ring in the New Year at midnight.  We will be gathering around 1130PM on Friday December 31st in Victoria Park which is right beside Milton Town Hall.

If you cant make it that late, you can join us the next day at Milton Town Hall for the Annual New Years Levee.  Join the Mayor and members of council from 2PM to 4PM for some refreshments (courtesy of Troy’s Diner, Tim Horton’s and La Rose Bakery) while the Milton Seniors SONG SPINNERS entertains the crowd with seasonal numbers.

For more information you can email me, contact any member of council or call (519) 853-3772

There are a lot of things to do in Milton this holiday season so please join us in celebrating 2010 and looking forward to a great, prosperous and healthy 2011!