There are plenty of projects on the books for Severn Township in 2020, but it’s taken a tax increase to make them possible.
Severn council approved a 2.86 per cent increase, but that will go up again. Once the education tax rate is factored in, the increase will be 2.99 per cent.
And, the hits keep coming. The County of Simcoe will be changing its ratio for multi-residential and industrial development in an effort to promote affordable housing and industrial projects. When that happens, the residential tax rate in Severn will go above three per cent.
“We’d like to have a zero per cent increase, but, in reality, that doesn’t work,” said Mayor Mike Burkett. “If we don’t keep up with inflation, future councils will have to deal with it.”
Severn’s 2020 budget calls for millions to be spent on infrastructure, including roadwork, bridges and culverts.
“The thing our residents complain about most is the roads. Some roads that are 25 years old need to be redone,” Burkett said.
Some council members felt the pressure when it came to repaving part of Riverdale Drive, near Washago. CAA ranked it as the second-worst road in Ontario in 2019.
“The only reason was that everyone on that road kept calling (CAA),” Burkett said, adding it will cost about $300,000 to repave half the length of the street. “It’s too bad because there are a lot of roads that need more attention.”
Despite his reservations about that project, the mayor is “excited that we’re keeping on top of our infrastructure.”
“I just wish we had more funds to do more.”
About $600,000 will go toward repaving half the length of Irish Line.
“We’re not using the cheap stuff anymore — the tar and slurry,” Burkett said, noting the township will instead use real asphalt like the kind used on highways.
Two bridges and a culvert on Uhthoff Line need to be replaced at a cost of about $500,000 each. Bridge work on Jermey Road will cost more than that.
The township’s recreational offerings are also going under the microscope. Council approved $75,000 in the budget for a consultant to prepare a recreation master plan.
“The last time we did that was 10 years ago,” Burkett said. “We’re excited to see what they come back with.”
Also included in the budget is money to hire the township’s first communications officer. According to the compensation listed in the job posting, the staffer would be paid between $68,000 and $80,000 per year, plus benefits.
“We’re hoping he or she will bring new ideas so we can promote our township better,” Burkett said, noting the website needs a major facelift. “We need it to be brought into the 21st century.”
Severn’s tax hike, as it sits now, will result in a $77.18 increase for households assessed in 2019 at $300,000.
