PUSLINCH TWP– Township of Puslinch staff are recommending a small tax levy increase for 2021 to support an increase to capital contributions.
A capital budget report to Puslinch council proposes a tax levy impact of 1.6 per cent.
This would raise total levy to over $1.5 million, up slightly from $1.4 million. The report shows this is largely to put into discretionary reserves.
Discretionary reserves are used by the township for costs related to asset replacement projects as opposed to funding directly from the tax levy.
The report notes that a 2019 asset management plan found the township has an infrastructure deficit which results in a greater need to contribute to the discretionary reserve.
The proposed capital budget for 2021 totals $4.6 million, down slightly from $5.4 million in 2020.
Projects proposed include $1.3 million for phase 1 of the parks master plan which will see upgrades to the Puslinch Community Centre park. However, the report says this is largely based on the success of grant applications.
Also in the proposed budget is major road work to Concession Road 4 and McLean Road at $450,000 and around $500,000 respectively.
The report shows that $165,000 worth of work is needed for a stormwater management facility in 2021 and the transportation master plan to address ongoing traffic complaints in the township has a price tag of $75,000.
