Armstrong passes budget with four per cent increase

Armstrong Township council has passed its 2024 budget with a four per cent increase in the tax levy.

Council met April 10 to approve the budget of just over $2.5 million.

This year's municipal tax levy is approximately $1.579 million.

Mayor Jean Marc Boileau explained that “for the average assessed residential property at $160,000 this would translate to a $66 annual increase,” he said.

“Once again the Township of Armstrong faced a difficult budget period with large inflationary increases in almost all areas. Our 2024 budget freezes the water/wastewater and recycling/garbage rates for a third consecutive year while continuing to have one of the lowest tax rates in Temiskaming,” he said.

“Council is proud of this budget as we continue to invest in our community by providing donations to 16 local organizations and delivering $240,000 in road work. This budget also includes investing in the future by transferring $30,000 to the fire department reserve and $20,000 to the public works equipment reserve.”

The mayor said there is also help for the local library.

“To increase access to the library, the budget includes a trial period for 2024 with the library open on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cemetery, park, recreation centre and pool all have planned upgrades this year to ensure Armstrong remains a great place to live.”

HIGHLIGHTS

The 2024 operating budget highlights include: the provincial operating grant is $28,000 less annually since 2021; the insurance increased 14 per cent from 2023 to $150,200; four hours are being added on Saturdays at the Armstrong Township Public Library; donations to community organizations are increased to $8,700 (hospital recruitment $3,600, and food bank $1,000); there is a required study for asset retirement obligations for financial statements of $20,000 (which is a new requirement to record future costs of legal obligations when retiring tangible capital assets, such as asbestos or other environmental concerns); the District of Timiskaming Social Services Administration Board contribution is almost $300,000; the Timiskaming Health Unit contribution is almost $60,000; and the policing contribution is $190,000.

The 2024 capital budget includes: an allocation of $6,300 for the purchase of two benches and brickwork for a walkway at the cemetery; $9,000 is allocated to upgrade the lights over the ice surface; $2,000 to paint the pool; over $30,000 is being transferred into a reserve for future fire department equipment; a used loader has been purchased at a cost of approximately $190,000; repairs at Well One are being allocated $10,000; pool change room renovations will get $433,119 (funded through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program Culture and Funding Stream); $8,800 has been allocated to conduct park washroom and pavilion repairs; $5,000 to add an accessible railing to the pool stairs (through the recreation committee); $240,000 to add gravel, do roadside ditching, and patch surface treatment (funded through Canada Community Building Fund and the Northern Ontario Resource Development Support Fund); $20,000 has been allocated to rebuild the public works equipment reserve for future purchases; and $33,370 to complete the upgrade to the communication system for the water system (funded through the Canada Community Building Fund).

Darlene Wroe, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Temiskaming Speaker