Manager of Transportation Pat McNulty addresses Belleville city council, October 27, 2016. (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Belleville has set a 2017 capital budget at $48.3 millio , with a tax increase of well under 1%t.
City council approved the capital budget at its final session Thursday morning, setting the tax rate increase at .67%.
The budget includes $12.2 million for the downtown Phase 3 project and an extra $1.7 million for the Mineral Road – Maitland Drive project.
Council made a final adjustment cutting the amount for three road surfacing projects and adding federal gas tax money to that funding.
Mayor Taso Christopher told Quinte News the focus is on maintenance.
Manager of Transportation Pat McNulty told council his department, which is responsible for road maintenance, is “stretched to the limit” and requires extra staff which council may consider in the 2017 operating budget.
The capital budget includes about 200 items and Councillor Jack Miller noted 43 roads are getting some kind of attention.
Councillor Paul Carr says the budget is fiscally responsible but council must start looking at cutting the debt.
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Council also approved a $300,000 project to pave the shoulders of Maitland Drive from Sidney Street to Highway 62, to be paid from development charges.
Councillor Garnet Thompson and Mayor Taso Christopher voted against it.
