Subject: Muskoka Ratepayers’ Association’s comments on The Township of Muskoka Lakes 2021 Operating Budget & 2022 and 2023 Operating Forecasts
Date: January 30, 2021
To: Mayor Harding and Council
From: The Muskoka Ratepayers’ Association (MRA)
The MRA would like to thank Treasurer Donaldson, staff and Council for their early presentation of the 2021 Operating Budget and the operating forecasts for 2022 and 2023. This multi year approach to forecasting the operating expenses for the Township is much appreciated. It provides taxpayers with some level of assurance that longer term integrated financial planning has been considered at both the Capital and now the Operational level in our Township. MRA assumes that forecasts for 2022 and 2023 are done on the basis of 2021 dollars and inflationary increases will be incorporated as the forecasts morph into budgets?
The MRA understands the Township's desire to finalize a budget early in the calendar year, however we find several holes in the process that make it difficult to provide real constructive recommendations or comments. For example, we believe as presented there is probably a one to two million dollar gap in funding the capital budget. This will no doubt impact the operating budget and levy – more on this later. Staff has also made several suggestions to committee for extra spends, that if all implemented could have a huge impact on taxes going forward. MRA also believes it is unreasonable to expect any citizen or group to provide meaningful input at a public meeting, just three days after committee meets to consider many of these items. This is not the type of meaningful engagement the MRA would expect.
The MRA is not going to comment on every line item in the Operating Budget and Forecast, but we would like to provide some high level suggestions and comments for staff and Council to consider going forward:
While grants from upper levels of government can be spotty, however if past history is repeated, $ 1.8 million of the gap can be filled from grants. That still leaves about $1.5 million to come from reserves, the levy or financing. The MRA does not recommend further depleting reserves that are currently below Ontario Government guidelines, and even worse, 40% of the reserves are restricted. This leaves the option of a ten plus percent further increase on the levy, financing or reducing the spend. Looking at the ten year capital needs it would appear prudent to start realistically covering the actual costs of running our Township – two percent tax increases no matter how you slice it won’t deliver on the Strategic Plan Council has set.
The MRA believes the large disparity in premiums for liability and errors and omissions insurance can only be attributed to the claims experience and payouts. MRA believes it behoves this Council to review the claims history, analyze the risks and start to mitigate the causes. We also believe that some of Council's decisions have been ill advised and fanciful rather than realistic, thus further driving up claims and potential claims. In the current hard insurance market, the MRA is very concerned that the Township with this current track record, might become uninsurable and obligated to self fund all liabilities. repercussions on taxpayers could be horrific.
The MRA is very pleased that the 2021 Operating Budget also contains operating forecasts for 2022 and 2023. Council and staff are to be complimented for this improvement. Thank you for this opportunity to allow the MRA to present our comments.
Sincerely
TML - Committee of Adjustment | Mar 8, 2021 9:00am to 12:00pm |
TML - General / Finance Committee | Mar 10, 2021 9:00am to 12:00pm |
TML - Council | Mar 10, 2021 1:00pm to 5:00pm |
TML - Planning Committee | Mar 11, 2021 9:00am to 12:00pm |
Ratepayers - Board Meeting | Mar 27, 2021 10:00am to 1:00pm |