Huntsville Council is now entering the fourth month since its most recent inauguration. So far it has been pretty quiet on the Western Front for them, as the saying goes. That is quite understandable as there are a number of new councillors who had to get their feet wet, and most elected officials get a bit of a honeymoon at the beginning of their term.
But in Huntsville, I think that is about to change. A number of ‘hot buttons’ are floating out there and we are beginning to see signs that folks are now paying attention and not particularly happy about some issues.
Let’s deal first with Huntsville’s latest budget which was passed last week with a total levy of $19,408,056.00 resulting in a difficult tax increase to both seasonal and permanent property owners of 6.56% for 2023.
This is the highest tax increase in Huntsville in a decade. Gravenhurst’s tax increase is 2.9% and Bracebridge is currently sitting at a tax increase of 4.5%, but it has not yet been finalized.
In all fairness, this council began their budget considerations believing they would need a 2023 tax increase of 10% and managed to reduce it to 6.56%.
They have included in their budget a first crack at obtaining the funds that will be required to meet the municipality’s share of funding for the new hospital in Huntsville, and I am not sure whether other municipalities have done that. This represents 1.26% leaving the levy for normal municipal expenses at 5.29% of the total 6.56% tax increase.
It can be argued that the Town has reserves, particularly, from the sale of the Waterloo property that could be directed toward the hospital, but at the end of the day, to meet their commitment, a combination of reserved funds and a direct additional contribution from taxpayers will be required. To begin that process now, will ease the pressure when the funds are finally called upon.
If a poll were taken in Huntsville today, my guess is that the top concern for many residents, regarding municipal services, is the condition of our roads. While attempts have been made to address this, there is still much to be done, not only with roads but also with other aging infrastructure. It made sense then, in my view, to put aside a significant amount of funds in the budget for capital reserves as part of a ten-year plan for repairs to roads and other infrastructure that many members of council believe has been underfunded. Hopefully, some of these funds can be flowed soon, as in some parts of the municipality potholes are taking over the roads!
The Town, like the rest of us, has also had to deal with the reality of inflation and other issues coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. And so, in my view, this budget, while it will be hurtful, especially to people with limited incomes, is for the most part a realistic assessment of the current and future needs of our municipality.
Another ‘hot button’ right now, is the decision of Huntsville Council in General Committee to reduce hours during the summer for the Brunel Locks by more than 50% so that it is open only on weekends and holiday Mondays. I have two issues with this.
First, the Brunel Locks while perhaps underused at times, especially in poor weather, is an important part of summer leisure activities, not only for permanent residents but also for seasonal residents who pay a large portion of municipal taxes. This is a slap in the face to them and a diminishing of a popular and historical tourist attraction in our community as well as an inconvenience to local residents.
My second issue here is the hypocrisy of council in General Committee, clamping down on the Brunel Locks which in 2022 had a net cost of $18, 275.00, in the name of reducing expenditures and at the very same time approving a project for artwork in Kent Park at a cost of up to $25,000.00. Between the two, there is no reduction in costs here and there could even be an increase. The fact that expenditures for the Locks and the artwork come from two different pockets within the Town’s budget system is irrelevant. Funds can and have been reallocated as needed.
I find it interesting that I have heard more criticism from folks around town about the art expenditure in Kent Park, and the reduction of services at the Brunel Locks, than I have about the 6.56% increase in the Town’s budget.
One person who commented on Doppler’s news story about Kent Park said this, in part: “ So, they can find money for this, (Kent Park) but they close (sic) the Brunel Locks because they need to find savings? Plant some trees and open the Locks.”
At their next regular meeting, Council will be asked to ratify both the decision for the art at Kent Park and the one downgrading service at the Brunel Locks. Certainly, the decision regarding the Locks is a mistake and should be reversed. As well, serious consideration should be given to whether this is the appropriate time to spend more money on artwork for Kent Park. No one should criticize council for taking a hard second look at both these issues.
There is at least one more ‘Hot Button’ issue on the horizon for council and that is the proposed new development at Deerhurst Resort. According to a recent article, the new owners of Deerhurst have a plan for a major development there on the 760-acre property that would overlook the first nine holes of the Lakeside Golf Course. It would include more than a 400-unit condominium/hotel. It is not entirely clear what the height of this complex would be, but a planning report suggests one of the buildings could be as high as 6.5 storeys which would be among the highest buildings in Huntsville and very visible from Peninsula Lake.
As this project proceeds to the planning process in Huntsville, council can be sure there will be a hue and cry from environmentalists and cottage associations alike. To be sure, more housing for all income levels and improved tourism are important to Huntsville as it inevitably grows both as a tourist destination and a place to relocate. Nevertheless, issues related to the environment and to those with a NIMBY approach to development will be heard loudly and clearly. Huntsville Council will have its hands full with this one.
At this early stage, I am of the opinion that we have a good mayor and council. But they have their work cut out for them. They will make mistakes, as we all do, and hopefully, they will have the courage to correct them when that occurs. They will also be called upon to make tough and hard decisions, which some of us may not like, but that are in our collective best interest, and I hope that they have the courage to do that as well.
Because at the end of the day, that is what they will be judged on.
Hugh Mackenzie
Hugh Mackenzie has held elected office as a trustee on the Muskoka Board of Education, a Huntsville councillor, a District councillor, and mayor of Huntsville. He has also served as chairman of the District of Muskoka and as chief of staff to the former premier of Ontario, Frank Miller.
Hugh has also served on a number of provincial, federal, and local boards, including chair of the Ontario Health Disciplines Board, vice-chair of the Ontario Family Health Network, vice-chair of the Ontario Election Finance Commission, and board member of Roy Thomson Hall, the National Theatre School of Canada, and the Anglican Church of Canada. Locally, he has served as president of the Huntsville Rotary Club, chair of Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, chair of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, president of Huntsville Festival of the Arts, and board member of Community Living Huntsville.
In business, Hugh Mackenzie has a background in radio and newspaper publishing. He was also a founding partner and CEO of Enterprise Canada, a national public affairs and strategic communications firm established in 1986.
Currently, Hugh is president of C3 Digital Media Inc., the parent company of Doppler Online, and he enjoys writing commentary for Huntsville Doppler.
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I can relate to Jim Logagianes’ assessment of the roads in Huntsville. With climate change happening and new environments being created, I wonder if it’s time that the town government changes half load restrictions to a little earlier. My road is being beaten up currently by the dump trucks and contractors trying to get ahead. But, they do it to the local residents sacrifice.
South Waseosa Lake Road is one of the poorest maintained roads in Huntsville. It is barely wide enough for two vehicles to pass in the winter due to lack of winter maintenance. We have sections of road that do not shed water . This road has never been repaired properly despite resurfacing over the years. I had to put my front end in the snow bank so the garbage truck could get past me the other day. The posted speed limit is 60 km but none of us can travel at that speed without damaging our vehicles because of the condition the road is in. We allow heavy trucks to travel on roads that were not designed to handle the loads they carry. So our roads continue to deteriorate due to neglect and insufficient standards by our municipal government. Surely the town is receiving enough tax revenue all the lots on our road have homes now.
Can we send our bills to the town for vehicle repairs while they neglect their responsibility.
Take a drive down our road right now if you think I’m exaggerating. I suggest you proceed with caution.
What is the impact on our environment by allowing more people to access are waterways? How will this development effect our water quality? The district has not decommissioned our old water treatment plant which still overflows during heavy rains allowing untreated water back into are waterways.
So here we go the cart before the horse scenario. Let’s increase development despite the fact that our infrastructure has not been updated to handle the increased pressure.
A lot of people depend on municipal water should that not be a consideration moving forward? The health of our lakes must be protected in order to protect our overall health. Water is a necessity of life. How much development can our current water system sustain without water and sewer investment?
The first part of a solution is admitting there’s a problem.
With Kent “Park.”
Plant some trees and open the Locks.
“I did a little research myself and I found out that if we get a readily available 20-foot maple or oak delivered for under $1,000 from a nursery in Ontario,” said Councillor Withey.”
So for $25,000 you can get quite a few good sized trees.
That’s an easy decision, isn’t it?
Council wasted $400,000!! of taxpayer money on the destruction of Kent Park.
The Kent Park fiasco is an embarrassment to our town.
Fix it.
Rip out the hot stones and plant some cool shade trees.
Instead of sticks or art or umbrellas.
https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/huntsville-bia-to-purchase-three-umbrellas-for-kent-park/
Town Council members are to be commended and appreciated for being our representatives. However, there is great responsibility and accountability in performing their jobs as they all well know. One of the “hot buttons”, namely, the art installation is self-inflicted and, in my opinion, ill advised at this time. We all remember how the last art installation went don’t we? I say, stay out of the weeds in this one! Do we really all need the drama again? Common sense would say put the money into what has worked in the past..the Brunel Locks are the example here. Also, leave the natural environment intact at the old dirt track at Lions Lookout..we fought hard to keep that when Council wanted to build the ill-fated Waterloo building. Listen to the Locals..we have collective wisdom and we do wish for true success, Muskoka style, for our town.
Dear Mr. Spivak,
No one is justifying anything. The comment was in reference to the highest tax increase “in decades”. Again, in 2013 it was higher.
Tamara, high increases in tax rates in the past are not justification for them in the future.
As Hugh has rightly pointed out, how do we spend money on art work in a park but close the locks most of the week? The majority of boaters will be here for more than the weekend and if the weather is bad perhaps they will reconsider where they holiday resulting is less revenue from the locks and a hit to local revenue.
Hello Bill,
As per Town staff, in 2013 there was an increase in the tax rate of 6.64%
When inflation is running at 6 percent a tax increase of over 6 percent is unacceptable regardless of the reasoning . I think You can stretch that to the largest in decades.