Brighton’s budget meeting began with a 2.86% total increase, including county and education taxes, resulting in a $87.36 increase on a house assessed at $253,675.
The budget committee agreed to include extra roads projects at a cost of $415,250 in asphalt and $264,000 in surface treatment, bringing road construction projects to slightly over the 5% annual goal.
Discussions on operating costs, ended with staff being directed to bring back a report adding $100,000 or $200,000 to the budget, which relates to about a 1.5% or 3% increase.
With Northumberland County taking over fire dispatch, Fire Chief Lloyd Hutchinson said he hopes to use the funds freed up in his operational budget for hiring two additional volunteer firefighters, purchasing dispatch-friendly software, and doing some repairs to the fire hall.
Finance director Linda Widdifield aid that hiring a planner would be less expensive than continuing with the planning consultant, said, and overall, there’s a net decrease of over $20,000 in the planning budget.
Added will be funds to design a second watermain from the water treatment plant into town. Mayor Mark Walas said if federal and provincial monies were to become available, it would be good to have a shovel-ready project.
According to Widdifield, before council makes a decision on the various additions, the blended rate now sits at about 2.65%.
“I remain impressed with budget discussions, thanks to the work of staff who did an incredible job putting our packages and everything together,” said Deputy Mayor Brian Ostrander who has been chairing the meetings. “We focussed on trying to ensure we’re keeping up with roads projects and not getting further behind than we know we already are.”
He added that they’re also looking at the work that needs to be done at the wastewater pollution control plant.
The next budget meeting is Feb. 2 at 4 p.m. in council chambers.
