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Consultation has concluded
The Town of Collingwood has drafted its 2021 Operating & Capital Budget. Through the draft 2021 Budget, the Town strives to balance the needs of current residents and the challenges of our community’s unprecedented growth and mounting investment needs, with finding opportunities for service efficiency, business attraction, and enhancements to our waterfront and public spaces.
Take a look at the Final 2021 Budget posted to the December 21 Council meeting agenda.
What is a budget? It is the most important document that any government adopts. It is a plan that sets out anticipated spending for the year and where theContinue reading
The Town of Collingwood has drafted its 2021 Operating & Capital Budget. Through the draft 2021 Budget, the Town strives to balance the needs of current residents and the challenges of our community’s unprecedented growth and mounting investment needs, with finding opportunities for service efficiency, business attraction, and enhancements to our waterfront and public spaces.
Take a look at the Final 2021 Budget posted to the December 21 Council meeting agenda.
What is a budget? It is the most important document that any government adopts. It is a plan that sets out anticipated spending for the year and where the money will come from. It determines the services the municipality will provide and defines any improvements or expenses related to buildings or resources that will be made that year. A budget is the blueprint that outlines how municipal funds are collected and allocated. The overall budget can be separated into two main components – the Operating Budget and the Capital Budget.
What is an Operating Budget? The operating budget is the plan for the day-to-day operations of the Town including salaries, legal and insurance costs, and winter control. These expenses are required annually to run the municipality. Every Town program and service is funded through the operating budget, which is designed to ensure dependable delivery of a broad array of programs and services that residents rely on every day. Your municipal government is responsible for providing fire and police services, roads, clean water, parks, arenas, library services, and much more. Many of these services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These services and programs are largely funded by tax dollars and user fees which include charges for recreation programs, water, and wastewater services.
What is a Capital Budget? The capital budget is the annual plan for the purchase and financing of the Town’s capital assets. Capital assets are projects and expenses where the benefits can be seen over the course of many years, such as roads, bridges, land, buildings, machinery, and equipment. Some examples of capital projects include intersection improvements at Third Street & High Street, the Stewart Road Reservoir, The Black Ash Pumping Station upgrade, and the Sunset Point Park Playground project. The bulk of the capital spending goes to maintaining and fixing existing infrastructure, and is funded through dedicated accounts (similar to savings accounts) that have been built up through taxation and grants.
Building new infrastructure that is needed for keeping up with the growth of the community is funded through charges on the new developments being built.
Balancing the Budget Each year municipalities are faced with the challenge of balancing the budget, as required by provincial legislation. A municipality can take on debt to pay for large capital acquisitions, however it must ensure that there is enough money to fund day-to-day operations. In order to balance the budget, a careful analysis must be done regarding the level of services required to meet the expectations of the community and the realistic taxation and user fee levels.
Tell us what is important to you about Collingwood?
It is important that the needs of the community are understood when considering a municipal budget. Let us know what municipal services are important to you as a resident of Collingwood.
Consultation has concluded
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
The Town should support the business accelerator. Is outlined in the Economic Development Action Plan (recently approved) but no funding has been allocated.
Jennifer
about 2 years ago
I totally support the hiring of a climate change specialist. The climate crisis is already here and we need a dedicated staff member to be working on this! With no staffer we cannot get federal funding to help with this enormous pressing issue.
Owen Gray
about 2 years ago
Further development of the parking lot at the foot of Birch Street for recreational use by human-powered watercraft: a secure storage facility (containers) for SUPs and kayaks so local paddlers can bike to the water.
Tim Shuff
about 2 years ago
Sidewalk and bike lanes along High Street from Creekside all the way to Poplar Sideroad. A crosswalk is required at High and Findlay. Connect Summitview to Black Ash Trail. Bike and pedestrian infrastructure should precede residential development!
Tim Shuff
about 2 years ago
I support the hiring of a Climate Change Specialist to ensure Collingwood is making sustainable decisions and accessing opportunities for federal infrastructure funding for green projects - a logical next step after declaring a climate emergency.
Tim Shuff
about 2 years ago
We need traffic calming measures (lockhart/Dey). I support moe lanes! We need more bike lanes! We need a climate specialist position in the town. We need to support naturalization projects (Pollinate Collingwood)! Harbour enviro and safety plan!
Jessica Lehr
about 2 years ago
As a UN SDG 11 town we need to build a sustainable town - this includes taking the much-needed steps towards climate change initiatives which will increase our sustainability. I support inclusion of the Climate Change Specialist in the budget.
Bianca Creek
about 2 years ago
This Canadian report just released underscores the need for urgent climate action.
More bus shelters. Small park benches along Hurontario S. Paving of the shoreline gravel paths at Sunset Point to protect sandaled feet and pet's feet from grit and larger stones. No Littering or Keep Our Parks Clean signage. Small things count!
Cari
about 2 years ago
Our trails are receiving heavy traffic and require maintenance. Re-stone dusting many of the trails is required to keep the trails is good working condition. Please allow enough money to retain in good repair what we already have.
George
about 2 years ago
Stop studying traffic and start building bike lanes. Figure out how ToC can reduce its carbon footprint, then do it. Perhaps the Town employees in trucks can stop idling them all day long, even in fine weather? Climate/liveability action is needed.
Carl Michener
about 2 years ago
-Implementation of Urban Forest Management Plan, including a Tree Protection Bylaw with the hiring of an Urban Forestry Expert. Please ensure this plan goes forward is it is crucial to health of residents and our local ecosystems
jeff44young
about 2 years ago
- the Climate Change Specialist is a 100% necessary role that should be a no brainer for the town. Please ensure this position is created.
jeff44young
about 2 years ago
Infrastructure! Roads! Water! Sewers! Almost every road in Colllingwood is a disgrace and hazard.
yodelady
about 2 years ago
Demonstration of proactive approaches to environmental challenges and climate mitigation and adaptation. I appreciate the ideas that fall under this option but due to the fact we have declared a climate emergency - more should be allotted!
Tori
about 2 years ago
Council and managers should set aside their pet projects and focus on the delivery of basic municipal services
blue bay sun rise
about 2 years ago
as a small town, Council and managers should not hire an urban forestry expert; expertise should be requested from the County Forestry Department on an ongoing basis supplemented by the NVCA, unless the Provincial government curtails conservation
blue bay sun rise
about 2 years ago
less parks and rec staff time should be spent on culture and events; more parks and rec staff time should be spent on repairs and maintenance
blue bay sun rise
about 2 years ago
Council and managers should not be spending any money or time on an arts centre feasibility study; if anything, such money should be directed to fund a new hospital which should be a community priority; such time should be directed to basic services
blue bay sun rise
about 2 years ago
the yacht club members should be paying for servicing the spit since they receive most of the benefits
Meeting to start at 5:00pm by Zoom videoconference. The purpose of the meeting is to review the budget following public consultation at the December 2, 2020 SIC meeting and receive additional feedback and direction to prepare the final budget.
2021 Budget Approval
2021 Municipal Budget - Join The Conversation is currently at this stage
The Town should support the business accelerator. Is outlined in the Economic Development Action Plan (recently approved) but no funding has been allocated.
I totally support the hiring of a climate change specialist. The climate crisis is already here and we need a dedicated staff member to be working on this! With no staffer we cannot get federal funding to help with this enormous pressing issue.
Further development of the parking lot at the foot of Birch Street for recreational use by human-powered watercraft: a secure storage facility (containers) for SUPs and kayaks so local paddlers can bike to the water.
Sidewalk and bike lanes along High Street from Creekside all the way to Poplar Sideroad. A crosswalk is required at High and Findlay. Connect Summitview to Black Ash Trail. Bike and pedestrian infrastructure should precede residential development!
I support the hiring of a Climate Change Specialist to ensure Collingwood is making sustainable decisions and accessing opportunities for federal infrastructure funding for green projects - a logical next step after declaring a climate emergency.
We need traffic calming measures (lockhart/Dey). I support moe lanes! We need more bike lanes! We need a climate specialist position in the town. We need to support naturalization projects (Pollinate Collingwood)! Harbour enviro and safety plan!
As a UN SDG 11 town we need to build a sustainable town - this includes taking the much-needed steps towards climate change initiatives which will increase our sustainability. I support inclusion of the Climate Change Specialist in the budget.
This Canadian report just released underscores the need for urgent climate action.
https://climatechoices.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Tip-of-the-Iceberg-_-CoCC_-Institute_-Full.pdf
More bus shelters. Small park benches along Hurontario S. Paving of the shoreline gravel paths at Sunset Point to protect sandaled feet and pet's feet from grit and larger stones. No Littering or Keep Our Parks Clean signage. Small things count!
Our trails are receiving heavy traffic and require maintenance. Re-stone dusting many of the trails is required to keep the trails is good working condition. Please allow enough money to retain in good repair what we already have.
Stop studying traffic and start building bike lanes. Figure out how ToC can reduce its carbon footprint, then do it. Perhaps the Town employees in trucks can stop idling them all day long, even in fine weather? Climate/liveability action is needed.
-Implementation of Urban Forest Management Plan, including a Tree Protection Bylaw with the hiring of an Urban Forestry Expert. Please ensure this plan goes forward is it is crucial to health of residents and our local ecosystems
- the Climate Change Specialist is a 100% necessary role that should be a no brainer for the town. Please ensure this position is created.
Infrastructure! Roads! Water! Sewers! Almost every road in Colllingwood is a disgrace and hazard.
Demonstration of proactive approaches to environmental challenges and climate
mitigation and adaptation.
I appreciate the ideas that fall under this option but due to the fact we have declared a climate emergency - more should be allotted!
Council and managers should set aside their pet projects and focus on the delivery of basic municipal services
as a small town, Council and managers should not hire an urban forestry expert; expertise should be requested from the County Forestry Department on an ongoing basis supplemented by the NVCA, unless the Provincial government curtails conservation
less parks and rec staff time should be spent on culture and events; more parks and rec staff time should be spent on repairs and maintenance
Council and managers should not be spending any money or time on an arts centre feasibility study; if anything, such money should be directed to fund a new hospital which should be a community priority; such time should be directed to basic services
the yacht club members should be paying for servicing the spit since they receive most of the benefits