Belleville capital budget under 1% tax hike

Belleville has approved a capital budget of $37.4 million, down more than $8 million from last year.

City council met in special session Wednesday wrapping up the proposed two-day debate in little over four hours.

The budget represents $6.5 million from taxation, a less than 1% increase.

Among the long list of infrastructure projects approved for 2020 is $4 million for reconstruction of Avondale Road, from Dundas West to Harder Drive.

The $20 million Bell Boulevard project gets $13.5 million, along with money from the provincial government.

The city is still awaiting word on the federal government’s contribution.

Council approved $225,000 for an upgrade to the city council chambers, which hasn’t been renovated in about 30 years.

The work will also include new chairs for the public area, and a change in the councillors’ seating area to allow staff members to be accommodated.

Panciuk told Quinte News the idea is to also re-brand the chamber to indicate its “Belleville” identity.

At one point in the budget debate, Councillor Ryan Williams, Chair of the Economic Development Committee objected to using $50,000 of the Municipal Accommodation Tax for creating the new $250,000 Parks and Recreation Management Plan.

Mayor Panciuk told council “not a single recommendation had come to council” despite the fact the committee was six months old.

Williams indicated the new committee had just completed strategic planning sessions and wasn’t going to spend money until that was done.

Williams’ motion to not give the money toward the recreation plan was lost on a recorded vote of five to four, with Councillors Paul Carr, Chris Malette, Garnet Thompson and Williams supporting it.

Bridge Street Bridge arch repair – $1.3 million

The idea is to return to four lanes of traffic on the bridge which has been down to one lane for a few years because of issues with the arches.

Two sewer pumping stations, one in Cannifton and another on Moira Street West – $2.5 million.

Parks and Recreation Master Plan – $250,000.

Mayor Panciuk says, “As you know for the last 20 some years we’ve been kind of dealing with parks and playgrounds and green space and recreational facilities on an ad hoc basis.”

Belleville Public Library – $55,000

Chief Librarian Trevor Pross appeared before council seeking $55,000 for a new security camera system.

Pross told council there had been a number of reportable calls to police this year and the library wants to improve its security.

Belleville City Police – $544,550.

Most of the request is for new police vehicles.

Police Chief Ron Gignac appeared before council, mentioning the requested approval for a new drone program and a pistol light and holster shooting platform.

Councillor Paul Carr raised the issue of an active transportation trail over Highway 401.

Carr told council “it’s a resounding priority” for many people in Ward 2.

Council was told that the province is looking at work on that area of Highway 401 but that could be years from now.

Carr said “in the interim we need options.”