After hours of discussion by council and many more hours of work by staff and consultants, Prince Edward County’s Committee of the Whole (COW) has recommended council approve a 10-year asset management plan.
The plan will guide council in efforts to upgrade or replace its buildings, roads, equipment, fire department and parks, and keep vehicles up to code and serviceable for the public.
Consultants say the county currently has an asset management spending gap of $24.9 million a year.
Phasing in the plan’s spending recommendations over 10 years could mean an average tax increase of over five per cent but Mayor Steve Ferguson says council doesn’t want to force people to move away.
“By the same token we have to attend to these infrastructure failures but being mindful of the importance of those who make Prince Edward County what it is.”
Everyone on the committee said the county couldn’t afford to keep taking on debt and expected to be making future budget discussions based on needs rather than wants.
Details on the Asset Management Plan and its potential effects is available in this previous story.
