Property taxes up 5.77 per cent
Roger Varley
Uxbridge Township will be coming after taxpayers for close to $17.7 million as a result of this year's budget, which Township of Uxbridge treasurer Tobi Lee says will result in a property tax increase of 5.77 per cent over last year.
In a report to council, presented at Monday's regular session, Lee attempted to soften the blow by pointing out that the increase includes 2.03 per cent in additional funding for the township’s Asset Preservation Reserve.
Councillor Willie Popp, chair of the finance committee, said the increase basically means taxpayers will be shelling out $110 extra on average this year. However, the tax increase is less than the 5.97 per cent increase that was imposed last year. Referring to the asset preservation reserve, Popp said the township is catching up on the cost of replacing township assets, which includes roads, parks, facilities, etc.
The budget report said expenditures for operations (the day-to-day business of the township) are expected to be $26.2 million, with revenues estimated at just over $5 million, The capital budget (that money spent on assets) is estimated at close to $11 million.
Also on Monday, during a deputation to council, Carly Davenport and Derek Connelly asked councillors to support an application for Uxbridge to receive a "Bird Friendly Town" certificate from Nature Canada. Davenport is chair of the Bird Friendly Team in Selwyn, just north of Peterborough and Connelly, an active member of North Durham Nature, organizes Uxbridge's annual Christmas bird count (on behalf of the National Audubon Society). Davenport told council that bird populations are decreasing at an alarming rate, with 2.9 billion birds lost in North America in the last 50 years, and 57 per cent of that total consisting of grassland birds.
She said local residents can do their part to help birds by making windows safer, keeping cats indoors, reducing the size of groomed lawns and planting native species, avoiding pesticides and "drinking bird-friendly coffee." Bird friendly coffee is certified organic and grown in shaded areas that provide cover for birds.
Davenport said certification as a “Bird Friendly Town” would be a badge of honour and source of community pride, and allow Uxbridge to join the growing movement of recognized bird friendly cities across Canada.