The 2014 budget has been officially approved in the Town of Parry Sound. At last night’s meeting, council approved the budget with no tax rate increase to residents. As a result of the approved budget, a number of significant projects will be underway including:
• Reconstruction of Forest St. $4,152,000
• Reconstruction of Wakefield & Dufferin Sts. $1,457,000
• Purchase of new aerial platform fire truck $1,100,000
• James St. pedestrian signal crossing $ 80,000
• Fitness trail retaining wall repairs $ 135,000
• Public Works storage shed $ 50,000
• Cemetery columbarium $ 20,000
• Engineering study for Isabella St. rail crossing $ 50,000
• Wabuno Beach washrooms upgrade $ 25,000
• BOCC Olympia ice resurfacer $ 85,000
• New Town website $ 30,000
• Repair of Fire Hall retaining wall $ 235,000
• Mission Park rope climbing play structure $ 31,000
• Trails Master Plan $ 30,000
• Tower Hill Ranger Cabin rehabilitation $ 20,000
• Market Square Park – wifi hotspot $ 8,000
• James St. Parking Lot – paving $ 60,000
• Beatty St. infrastructure re: new school $ 250,000
Other highlights of the approved budget include:
• Operating / management agreement with Massasauga Management Co. for Big Sound Marina and Town Dock
• Staffing restructuring and reductions
• Merger of PS Power with Lakeland Holdings. Payment of $3,967,000 as repayment of debt to Town.
• New Cascade St. power generation plant construction through Lakeland Power.
• Energy management and conservation plans for major Town facilities.
• Conversion of street lights to LED
• Development of Parks Management Plan.
• Irrigation system for Kinsmen Park.
• Hosting of May OSUM Conference – 200 delegates
• Partnering with DBA for Consumer Market Study
• Blue Flag program for Wabuno Beach
• Develop Partnership with The Archipelago to construct an Ambulance Base in Pointe au Baril
• Fire Response mobile access of property information
• Carbon Monoxide Education program
Mayor McGarvey noted that Council and Staff worked hard over the past few years to strengthen the financial base of the Town and 2014 will see a significant amount of work being done with no tax rate increase and our reserves in good shape.