Budget Draft 2!

This Thursday Council will discuss the second draft of the budget. Well they should, but they may just vote to accept it.

I’m a little short on time tonight so I will simply elaborate on some concerns I had the other day. To find the budget links just scroll back.

Figuring out the Municipal portion of the Tax Increase should not be something residents need to do but here we are doing it.

I sent out a request to some friends I respect who have always followed municipal finance. I asked them to help figure out the hidden numbers.

Its best just to use their words, so here you are…

“They calculated the WB portion of the tax increase to be 5.0% in draft two. Wasaga Beach accounts for 61% of the tax bill, Simcoe County – 26% and Education 13%. Simcoe County and Education taxes will increase in aggregate 2.4%. The latest budget has hidden all of the info to come up with the 3.96% overall rate increase so they went back to the first Fall budget presentation. Note that the WB 5.0% increase assumes only a 5.1% increase in OPP costs not the 20%. WB will slap on the differential if they can’t get any offset from the Province.

If OPP increase goes through, the increase will go from 5.0% to 7.7%. Accumulated increase since these clowns took over would be 26%.”

Let me accentuate that last bit for you. Whether you support Brian Smith or not, the municipal portion of your taxes will have an accumulative increase after this year’s hit, for a total of 26%.

If you rent, your landlord will have an increase of 26%. At the end of the day, if you live in Wasaga Beach, you will be paying 26% more in taxes than you did in 2021. I think that is totally irresponsible but we have no say. Sure you can apply to make a deputation to Council, but then all seven members may just berate you publicly for doing so.