Interview with Woodstock Mayor Jerry Acchione - Monday March 13

Monday, 13 March 2023 14:05

During his interview with Dan and Marcie this morning, Mayor Jerry Acchione talked about some of the budget presentations that will be taking place during this Thursday's City Council meeting.

WOODSTOCK - Mayor Jerry Acchione was in studio today talking to Dan and Marcie about changes residents can see coming to the budget.

First topic of interest, Woodstock residents could see a tax increase in the next year.

Mayor Jerry Acchione explained what residents can expect if the budget is approved.

"It will affect the average person's taxes by $145.70. It will look like a 5.6% increase if everything goes through."

Woodstock has seen about a 7% price hike due to inflation, and extra taxes for residents is expected to bring inflation down to about 1.5%.

Another big topic discussed at the meeting is the OLG Slot Funds. Councilor Leatherbarrow will be bringing a motion to Woodstock City Council this week to reallocate OLG Slot Reserve funds to the City.

The 20-year contract with OLG Slots has come to an end, leaving the funds a topic of interest for council.

Mayor Jerry Acchione says they want to approve $150,000 from the OLG fund to support social well-being in the city.

"This is going to be a mayor's task force with a couple of other councilors. We will come up with ideas and bring them to council, for example an organization needs $50,00 to help support blank, and then council will decide."

Ideally once the fund has been reallocated, organizations will be allowed to apply for the funds directly from City Council.

The motion will be made at City Council Meeting on Thursday.

Other topics that Mayor Acchione discussed today include:

Celebrating Woodstock's first Holi Mela event
The addition of new city service workers including 4 firefighters, 10 police officers and 8 city workers,
New BIA Commitee and the expansion of social media for the BIA,
Geared to senior's apartment new build coming to Springbank Ave,
Possible new drive-thru restaurant might be coming to Goodlife Fitness/Foodland Plaza, and
Karn Road subdivision concerns addressed

Listen to Mayor Jerry Acchione's full interview with Dan and Marcie below: