Capital budget exposes more Caledonia issues

BY KAREN BEST
Haldimand Review
February 07, 2007

As Haldimand County councillors reviewed capital budget expenditures for the next 10 years, the altered future of Caledonia crept up several times.

A 2004 construction projection for Haldimand County is out of date because of the Douglas Creek Estates issue. The projection was used to set charges developers pay for services and facilities required by new residents and businesses. The charges are set under a municipal development charges bylaw.

This year the county will spend $25,000 for a consultant report on updated population and employment forecasts for the entire county. Another $40,000 will be used for a development charges study, which will provide data for calculation of new charges for growth-related costs.

Based on three-year-old forecasts, $60 million of construction between 2007 and 2016 will be directly related to growth.

Coun. Craig Grice, who represents Caledonia, said the county has to rethink how Haldimand County and Caledonia progresses because of the occupation impact.

While a property tax loss related to 650 homes in DCE is a reality, county corporate service general manager Karen General said property taxes on new homes do not cover costs related to new residents. Commercial and industrial property taxes bring in more revenue, she said.

Grice added another element to the discussion. County officials do not know how much industrial development those new residents would have drawn to Caledonia and Dunnville, he said.

"The fallout is huge," he said.

Coun. Buck Sloat pursued the same point. The loss of 1,300 new residents is a significant economic impact, he said.

Only a one per cent increase, an additional $430,000 in property taxes, was realized from new taxpayers in 2006. Without commercial assessment, the total would be lower, said Ford. Mayor Marie Trainer said assessment typically increased by two per cent every year.

Prior to 2006, Caledonia was recognized as the fastest growing town in the area and as one of the fastest growing towns in Ontario.

In previous meetings with Ontario and federal bureaucrats assigned to the Six Nations land claim, council members mentioned the loss of projected population, said Coun. Tony Dalimonte.

"Perhaps it's time to follow up in writing," he said.

Coun. Lorne Boyko put his full support behind this direction. Ontario and federal representatives heard concerns from council but because the meetings were not open to the public it is easy for them to say they forgot, he said.

The Haldimand County recovery plan looks at options to address the loss of DCE, said county chief administrative officer Bill Pearce.

Several months ago Haldimand County councillors and staff submitted a list of projects required for the municipality's recovery from land claim impacts. Boyko said the list, which was submitted to the Ontario government, was very extensive and comprehensive.

A proposed $135,000 master archaeological plan might address development and consultation issues raised by Six Nations, said Steve Miazga, who is general manager of the planning and economic development department. In the 10-year capital budget, funding is spread over 2009 and 2010. This type of plan is needed due to the rich native heritage in Haldimand County, he said.

Developers will be able to refer to the plan to determine where some of the most important artifacts may be located, said Miazga. Areas such as portions of the riverbank will be ranked based on potential for detailed archeological remains, he said.

When this plan is completed, developers will not need to do a phase one archaeological assessment, said Miazga. Fort Erie and York have these plans.

After Boyko and Grice said taxpayers should not foot the bill, Miazga said the county would check into provincial funding in 2008.

That year, the county expects to spend $30,000 on a secondary plan for Caledonia.

"In light of the DCE situation, there is a need to revisit commercial growth in Caledonia," said Miazga.

The study, which is included in the county's recovery plan, will identify where changes are necessary.

Boyko called for the removal of the $2.16-million Stirling Street bridge replacement.

"I don't think there's any point messing around. Take it out," he said, of the 2009 project. Shortly after the bridge burned on April 20, Haldimand County learned it had received $1.4 million in grants from the Ontario and federal governments' joint infrastructure program. The county's share of the project was $720,000.

In 2001, the bridge was condemned and closed due to unsafe conditions. Council further discussed the bridge in a closed session but did not release any motions.

Repairs were about to begin on the York bridge when, due to Six Nations barricades on Argyle Street South and the Highway 6 bypass, it became part of a detour around Caledonia. The project will go ahead this year but council is pursuing provincial funding for any damage related to the detour.

Based on a unanimous motion, county staff will express concerns in a letter about the county's direct financial loss as a result of the DCE land claim issue.

The letter will be sent to federal and provincial senior staff, negotiators and politicians.

Because of this impact, the county is asking both levels of government to give positive consideration to the county's recovery plan to ensure the municipality's positive and progressive growth.