Victoria Playhouse Petrolia. (Photo by Town of Petrolia)Victoria Playhouse Petrolia. (Photo by Town of Petrolia)
Sarnia

0% tax hike approved in Petrolia

An unexpected funding boost from the province will end up saving Petrolia ratepayers.

The town approved the 2022 municipal budget on Monday night, which specified a zero per cent increase to the municipal tax rate.

Initially, a two per cent tax hike was proposed due to higher Ontario Provincial Police costs and insurance rates.

“Due to a [$534,000] increase to our annual 2022 Ontario Community Investment Fund capital grant staff were able to amend the proposed [two per cent] municipal tax rate increase recommendation to a [zero per cent] municipal tax rate change," said Chief Administrative Officer and Treasurer Rick Charlebois in a statement.

In an interview with Sarnia News Today, Charlebois also said the funding boost was not anticipated.

"It was a pleasant surprise and an unexpected one for the town, that helped us a lot," he said.

Having no municipal tax increase is not uncommon but Charlebois said not needing the increase does come at a good time.

"Part of council's guidance and direction was with COVID still going on, we know people are hurting and council wanted to do whatever it could to help the ratepayers."

As approved in the budget, staff will go ahead with several capital projects in 2022, which include the reconstruction of some roads in the southeast end of town.

"There's some development that's happening in the southeast end and those roads in that community are quite old and need to be replaced so it's going to enable us to help with the development," he said.

Capital projects include:

- The reconstruction of Derby Street, Mutual Street, Third Street and Valentina Street

- The installation of a new Town entrance sign South of Petrolia on Oil Heritage Road

- New solar lighting in Bridgeview Park

- Road resurfacing, and partial resurfacing of Pearl Street, England Avenue, and Glenview Avenue

- A splash pad (sponsored by The Kiwanis Club of Petrolia and Area which will be financed upfront by the Town and repaid by the club)

- Parents-4-Parks to receive funds needed to proceed with park equipment installation in Greenwood Park

Meanwhile, some of the road reconstruction work will intertwine with water and sewer projects.

Council approved an increase to sewer and water rates by 2.5 per cent in 2022.

One of the major water capital projects involves the replacement of Petrolia's water treatment plant in-take which is expected to cost approximately $16.2 million.

"We've applied for a grant, a federal/ provincial grant, hopefully, we'll receive some positive news on that," said Charlebois. "Otherwise, we're going to have to find $16.2 million which is a challenge for a small town."

Some of the 2022 sewer projects will include capital work at four pumping stations throughout Petrolia.

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