Clearview taxpayers had an opportunity to comment on the proposed 2020 township budget at a public meeting on Dec. 9.
Clearview Treasurer Kelly McDonald outlined plans for capital and operating budgets which have been in development since September. The proposed 2020 budget assumes total revenue of $30,230,900 with 56 per cent coming from property taxes. That represents an increase of $60.77 on an average home assessed at $284,667 from the 2019 budget. It represents a 3.37 per cent increase, with a net tax increase of 2.07 per cent once county and education taxes are factored in.
Included in the proposed budget are an increase in community assistance grants, additional funding for traffic calming signs, benches at township owned cemeteries, partial funding of a study for the snowmobile trail bridge and a sidewalk study.
Operating expenses for economic development will be reduced by nearly $155,000 with elimination of a one-time expense for downtown revitalization. The fire department budget is set to increase by $139,000 with part time fire prevention and training officers becoming full time.
Bylaw operating costs are expected to rise by $106,000 with a part-time enforcement officer becoming full-time and a move to proactive enforcement of property standards bylaws.
There were no questions from the public at the meeting. Should any comments or questions be received, they will be considered as council fine tunes the budget in advance of the Jan. 13 meeting where it is expected the budget will be passed. Final approval will come in April at which time council will pass the budget.