Town of Collingwood, Ontario, Canada
Budget Process Underway
Council To See Budget For Final Approval
By Monday February 22nd
Council Votes Not To Offer Cash Incentive To The Blue Mountains To Sit On Collingwood Regional Airport Services Board
Town of Collingwood CAO has circled Monday, February 22nd as the date that council will receive the 2010 draft budget for consideration for final approval. As a part of ongoing budget discussions, Collingwood Council has voted against an idea that would have seen the Town of Collingwood budget 25 thousand dollars to be used as a membership payment in an effort to get The Blue Mountains back to the Collingwood Regional Airport Services Board. Councilor Kathy Jeffery stated that if the town paid the membership fee for The Blue Mountains, it may not sit well with the other communities that pay their own membership fees. Deputy Mayor Sandra Cooper agreed, saying that paying the 25 thousand dollar membership on behalf of The Blue Mountains would send the wrong message to the Town of Wasaga Beach and Clearview Township.

Over the years, Collingwood municipal officials have made it clear that the Regional Airport Services Board would benefit from representation by the Town of The Blue Mountains, and that The Blue Mountains already benefits from having the airport nearby. Mayor Chris Carrier said that the regional airport is vital to the local economy as well as to the economies of Wasaga Beach, Clearview Township and The Blue Mountains.

It appears as though Collingwood residents could see an increase in their taxes of two-and-one-half percent in 2010. New Collingwood CAO Kim Wingrove has been involving town staff department heads and reported to council that she is pleased with the results to date. No new large projects are planned for 2010, but there will be some carry-over from 2009 in some areas, including the New Fitness Centre and Heritage Park revitalization.

Council has approved some donations prior to the passing of the new budget. Breaking Down Barriers will receive four thousand dollars, Crime Stoppers will receive three thousand four hundred dollars and My Friend's House will receive eleven thousand dollars, matching the 2009 figure.

 

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