Decisions, such as whether or not Minden Hills will have an organics program, remain up in the air as council continues to go through its first Strong Mayors budget.
Councillors discussed their 2026 financial plan for a third time Jan. 8. Prior to Christmas, the staff budget prepared with mayor Bob Carter was tabled. Another meeting was held Jan. 6 and it factored into last week’s regular council meeting as well.
Councillors have proposed a number of amendments to the mayor’s budget. Carter has the right to veto. If he does so, he has to inform councillors in writing with his rationale. After that, council can override him with a two-thirds majority vote. The final day of the process will be Feb. 3.
To date, council is sitting on a 5.29 per cent levy increase. However, factoring in one per cent growth, it is a 4.29 per cent tax rate increase.
Coun. Tammy McKelvey, who has led the majority of council’s discussions, said if that is where council lands, she can live with it.
She pointed out an 11 per cent increase in OPP policing billing “was a terrible hit to us, but it wasn’t our decision.” She laid the blame on the province.
She said with an OPP increase of 1.82 per cent on the levy, the township was really looking at collecting 3.47 per cent from taxpayers. While she said it would be nice to get to zero, that was not realistic. “I’m quite happy with what’s happened here. I can live with it and defend it.”
But it may not be the final budget, with power potentially shifting to Carter. In his budget, he proposed an organics program for the Scotch Line landfill that four councillors (McKelvey, Ivan Ingram, Bob Sisson and Shirley Johannessen) want removed. It would cost a total of $39,000.
Manager of waste facilities, Chelsea Cosh, told council the program would help save space in the landfill. She said studies have shown 30-40 per cent of household waste is comprised of organic material. “So, having a program would allow us to divert that material from the landfill and make use of a successful organics program.” She said it would require three waste containers (Moloks).
Carter tipped his hand that he might veto this council amendment, commenting, “there is a demand from a certain segment of the public that wants to see this type of environmental leadership.”
McKelvey said it’s a program she would support, but not for the 2026 budget. “We’ve got a lot happening up there … a new transfer station. I personally would like to wait until next year.”
In addition to amending the mayor’s budget to cut some items (a bulldozer at $150,000; a pickup truck at $120,000; and not hiring an additional roads labourer, for example), there were suggested additions. These included putting $50,000 towards a project for the old fire hall downtown.
Some decisions appear to have been made, though, such as dismantling the existing lights from the Riverwalk and investigating other lighting options.
When it comes to roads, the township is looking at doing work on Blairhampton, Nichols, Salerno Lake, Irondale, Sedgewick, and Francis.
