A few revisions in this year’s budget will lift some of the burden from Renfrew’s ratepayers.
Treasurer Erin Broome met with Town Council on Tuesday, March 28th to go over a number of changes made at the committee level over the past two weeks have made an impact on the tax levy for 2023.
The second pass at the draft budget, which was introduced to council at the March 14th Town Council meeting, includes the use of reserve funds to pay for a greater share of the tennis courts at Ma-te-Way Park and a land purchase for a public works garage.
Chief Administrative Officer Rob Tremblay explained both projects were completed previously, but needed to be funded and accounted for in this year’s budget.
He adds that the Town’s finances are still in good shape even with the extra dip into the reserves.
While the first draft budget would have seen a tax levy increase of 3.9% (or around $73 more on the average Renfrew household’s tax bill), the revised file reduces it to 2.5%.
Tremblay says that changes to the budget can still be made as Council prepare to approve it at their next general meeting.
The public are welcome to the April 11th Town Council meeting to address their concerns with the 2023 budget, the last chance to do so before it’s voted on for a third and final time.
A full list of the changes made to the draft budget and their impact on the bottom line can be found on the Town of Renfrew’s website.
(written by Kasey Egan)
