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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1996-09-18, Page 1liffiSCRIDPIN 1 JlL- Y11.� ouL 1 1 it 1 'Tirt+ss Advu voocuM. you're mTi Use Mtzponbelow aa4M 1 Nom: 1 Address City 1 Prov. 1 Postal Code 1 1 yew sus.2.4salaalla G3T4par MI.4.4+OST 1 1 uT_ TA - 1 + yaw tie.4.4rGyew 08 .sxiGST nro MOO ( s8a40 po81884) 1 USE YOUR CREDIT CARD 1 -DGEICEILLICI 1 00000000 card No. 1 Expiry Date I 0 Visa 0 Master Card 1 ❑ Cheque enclosed 1 Re&tm to: TIMES ADVOCATE ■ 424 Maw St. Exeter. Ont. NOM .1S8 ism — am r no — SEIP'S valu-mart 4 & 83 Exeter 235-0262 Agent for Sketcbley Dry 4:1,114?%cleaners Tax decrease predicted after amalgamation Maintaining the status quo is expected to raise municipal taxation by up to 110 per cent By Heather Mir T -A Reporter GRAND BEND - Amalgamation will bring -lower taxes. That's the message experts delivered Thursday night at the most recent discussion on the controversial topic. The consultants also said taxes will increase if municipal government carries on as it is now. If the Steering Committee decides to proceed with amal- gamation, KPMG consultants predict in their draft report taxation will be reduced significantly in comparison with maintaining the status quo. "Everybody in the study area would benefit under amal- gamation," said KMPG consultant Chris Reid. KPMG stressed the draft report does not make a rec- ommendation to amalgamate but rather presents the study's findings and offers steps to follow if the decision is made by the committee to restructure. The report presents fuiancial information, based on the same assumptions, if municipalities maintain the status quo. By doing nothing, KPMG predicts a maximum tax increase of 110 per cent by 1999. To compensate for pro- vincial cuts and downloading an addition S2.268 million would be required annually through taxation by 1999. For Exeter specifically, the municipal tax portion is expected to increase 32 per cent without amalgamation. Grand Bend would increase 79 per cent, and Usborne, Stephen and Bosanquet would rise approximately 100 per cent. Savings and costs KPMG anticipates the one-time cost of amalgamation will total nearly $730,000. The one-time savings to be achieved through the sale of equipment and buildings is expected to be approximately $410,000 with an additional minimum annual savings of $200,000 by 1999 through restructuring and streamlining. According to the draft report, if amalgamation occurred today, potential financial savings of $777,000 per year could be realized. This represents 28 per cent of the an- nual municipal taxes paid by ratepayers in the study area, excluding special area rates. KPMG also acknowledged the tax rate in the remaining portion of Bosanquet, approximately two thirds, will be negatively impacted by amalgamation. However, Reid explained the mandate of the study was to create an amalgamation model relating to the study area only. "There is a very significant negative impact on the area of Bosanquet outside of the study area," said Reid. The preliminary report makes several assumptions in es- tablishing an amalgamation model. These include the an- ticipation, made clear by ministry statements, that policing costs will be downloaded to municipalities and block grants will be eliminated by 1999. + Continued on page 2 eitu)t, f \t'(c'1 ,41111 rater: since 11,'1'.3 Wednesday, September 18, 1996 Hear me roar. Michelle Muller 1 a jungle roaf ' uring_ 4` 00 children from ron County tried out lrtging, acting or dancing Inaba Lion King musical that•W/H be held at the District High February. The danc- being con- omuth. Inside Lucan and Biddulph finalize amalgamation proposal See page 2 Kirkton Fall Fair See page 8 Exeter Fall Fair Ambassador contestants See Crossroads Exeter Minor Soccer wrap-up See pages 16-17 Sports SEIP'S valu-mart 4 & 83 Exeter 235-0262 k-fk-f Kids Vtcleo Rentals .490. every day (<33C + 7C G.S.T.) ONE DOLLAR Rain delays local harvest HURON COUNTY - Excessive rainfall last week has put local vegetable crops on hold. According to Brian Hall, a soil and crop advisor at Clinton's On- tario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs office, late corn and soybeans have not been greatly affected by the steady downpour. However, colored and white beans were ready to harvest a week ago and need to come off "as soon as possible." More rain would lead to flooding and poor conditions at what is 'now peak harvest time. And fusarium wheat mold, which spreads in 'damp weather, "does pose a risk to the corn," although there has 'been little trace of it to date. On Monday records at the Huron Research Station indicated near- ,ty 224 mm of rain had fallen in the area since the beginning of Sep- tember. Last weekend alone recorded just over 132 mm of pre- cipitation, beating the 1 7 -year average for the entire month, which is 102.8 mm. ti "Things are shut down until it dries," said researcher Chris Gillard lof the station's activities. The--pr1ce of being part of Huron County EXETER - Reeve Bill Mickle re- ported to council Monday night more details are now available concerning the acquisition of pro- vincial roads that "... run through our neighboring townships. The Kirkton man wins 6-49 loot KIRKTON - Buying lottery tickets on a regular basis has paid off for Bill Waghorn of Kirkton. As the result of holding the second prize ticket in the 6-49 lottery on Wednesday, September 11, Waghorn is now richer by $133,039.20. After stopping for gas at a convenience ;;<f store in Bryanston about 4 p.m. Wednesday, the Kirkton resident purchased a Quick Pick ticket. As he usually does he listened to the numbers as reported on television at about 11:30 p.m. It was the only ticket he bought for Wednesday's draw. His first reaction on hearing the numbers was that he had won something. He added, I knew it was more than $10, but !didn't know for sure until the next morning. When 1 went to Becker's variety store in Exeter about 10 a.m. to have the ticket validated and 1 was told by manager Kim Bilcke, "you've won $ 13,000, no, it's S133,000." The Waghorn's made a quick trip to Toronto Thursday aftemoon and picked up the cheque. Waghom, who grew up in Exeter and his wife Gwen operated the general store in Kirkton for a number of years. Despite the big win, he intends to continue his practice of buying tickets quite regularly. Asked if he had any previous lucky tickets, Waghom replied, "Only once did 1 win more than $100. That's when 1 won $1,100 in Lottario quite a few years ago." By Sunday night the Waghorn's were pretty well over the shock of their sudden gtJealth. They agreed , "It was a nice windfall." As to plans for spending the money, Waghom said, "We don't have any special plans. We already have some of it invested." Bill Wellborn Is definitely happy with his winnings province is prepared to give the county $4 million, but that's a shortfall of $2 million and adding 70 more kilometres of roads. The maintenance and plowing will cost over $370,000, and the bridge maintenance and replacement will be another $800,000 a year! We should be aware the impact on the people of Exeter: $60,000 more to be sent to the county." Councillor Robert Drummond added, "That, plus the Toss of $70,000 in road rebates to the town is a total of $130,000 more in taxes we have to raise. When C.o we say 'Enough is enough'?" Mickle in- jected, "Aren't you glad you belong to the county?" Hay site to be purchased over 20 years EXETER - Exeter Council Alon- day night decided to opt for a pay- ment schedule for the purchase of the buffer landfill site in Hay Township that would see the costs amortized over 20 years. Councillors Dave Urlin and Rob- ert Drummond objected to the 20 years because of the tremendous in- terest charges over that period. They both suggester the 10 plan would be more acceptable to the ratepayers of Exeter. Councillor Roy Triebner coun- tered with the advantages of an ex- tended period which would allow for "maximum flexibility": low first year annual cost, payment of principle in lump sum and ability to maximize savings should amal- gamation take place. Reeve Bill Mickle also added there might emerge "county implications that could be to Exeter's advantage down•the road". Council supported the motion to take the 20 year payment plan. Measuring device stolen from SH DH S EXETER - Police report a meas- uring device valued at $350 was stolen from South Huron District High School on September 12. OPP recovered a 2 gallon red plastic can, with a note taped to the side giving oil mixing instructions. If you can identify this can, contact the Exeter detachment to claim it. Exeter Fair Parade route s R. la--ir�l�t 1 - EXETER - The Exeter Fall Fair Parade is set to go at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 21 with the judging of entries to take place at 10:30 a.m. sharp. The pa- rade will follow south along An- drew St., then west along Huron St. to Main Street where it will continue up Main St. to Victoria SI. and east to the fairgrounds. Formation of floats and motor- ized vehicles is at the South Hu- ron District High School parking lot. School floats and childrens classes such as decorated bicycles and walking categories will form at the Exeter United Church park- ing lot. Horse categories will con- gregate at the Exeter Public School. For further information call Cathy Seip 235-2828. /-0r lll0/C (1!!. tie la/ I\ sf)(' ('FOS Financial advice ou can count on! George Godbolt CLU, CFP 496 Main Street Exeter ON 2354740 Whets it comes to investment and tax strategies, retirement and estate planning, and more, we have the expertise and technology needed to help secure your financial future. Call me today for financial advice you can count on! mime Milk Mutual Lite of Canada/Mutual Investco Inc . two companies of The Mutual Group. Taattt1 kis IC'The Mutual Group N