Council Puts Stamp Of Approval On 2019 Budget

Friday, 22 March 2019 06:46

There were additions to this year's budget, including an increase in resources to the Woodstock Police Service and funding to the Woodstock Fire Department.

WOODSTOCK - Woodstock City Council approved the revenue fund budget for 2019.

This year's budget is approximately $79.3 million dollars in expenditures for programs and services. The budget also saw a $5 million dollar increase from 2018.

The city's portion of the tax rate for the 2019 budget will increase by 0.32%, representing a $46.73 increase for an average detached single family home, which has an assessed value of $250,773 from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). The amount of $46.73 represents a 1.9% increase on the average single family home compared to 2018.

Mayor Trevor Birtch says the tax increase won't impact homeowners.

"This is a very small increase when they look at their entire levy. And over the coming days we'll have an exact number on how the entire levy will work because, of course, there is the City of Woodstock budget, the revenue and capital, then there's the County of Oxford for those services and that was approved in December and then we also have the education tax rate coming out soon."

Birtch says a lot of hard work went into approving this year's revenue fund budget.

"It's always great to have a final, approved budget. This process begins early in the fall of the previous year so council, this new council, right after they were sworn in on December 1st started into budget meetings, capital budget meetings, revenue fund budget meetings and lots of questions to staff. So a lot of good education about the programs and more understanding, so it is always a very good day when we have an approved budget."

This year's budget also saw some additions to several services and programs in the Friendly City.

The Woodstock Police Service will see an increase in resources for front line police officers, the first time in almost ten years. The resources will allow for more efficient deployment of officers and recognize social issues impacting police services across the province.

The Woodstock Fire Department will receive $450,000 for a new live fire training facility to improve training resources and reduce overtime costs.

The engineering department building will be given $850,000 for renovations and expansion to their second floor.

The Parks and Recreation services will also receive funding to expand hours and services at the Cowan Park Sportsplex, along with funding to allow new public access to the Pittock Conservation Area.