The Town of Petawawa has approved municipal spending for 2020. The budget expenses were passed as a part of the council meeting Monday night (Feb. 3rd). It’s expected in 2020 Petawawa will spend over $18-million for general municipal purposes, $3.1-million for waterworks and $3.7-million for sewage system purposes.
Residential property taxes are expected to increase by $17.22 per $100,000 in assessment. The average residence in 2020 has been assessed at $268,000, translating to an increase of $46.15 this year. Municipal water works will increase $13.55 and residential use of sewage system will go up by $30.34. All in, the total increase is estimated to be around $90.14 per household.
Petawawa Mayor Bob Sweet says they remain the lowest tax rate for an urban municipality in the county. He says over the last six to seven years, they’ve seen a reduction of close to a million dollars in provincial funding, which has a direct impact on local taxpayers.
The mayor says he’s pleased to present a budget that allows the town to provide high quality services to residents, while maintaining a debt-free community.
Sweet says they plan to spend up to $6-million on roads, sidewalks, storm drains and waterworks. The budget includes work on Airport Road, Portage Road, Biesenthal Road, Scott Avenue and a partnership with the Township of Laurentian Valley on Golf Course Road.
Residents will also see construction of an asphalt surface for trails from Leeder Lane to the Civic Centre and from Portage Road to the Four Seasons Bridge to connect to the Garrison and a 16 km paved fitness trail.
Sweet says the town will put another $250,000 into reserves to replace the arena floors at the Civic Centre and will only go ahead with the project if they receive funding.
Other projects include $20,000 for design work for the Laurentian Highlands Park and another $90,000 towards repairing the catwalk wall and flood mitigation measures in Centennial Park.
Council will also update the strategic, fire, asset management, active transportation, parks and recreation plans and review vehicle and equipment replacement schedules to help better guide the municipality.