HIRA BRIEFING NOTE- December 11, 2023
This is a brief note to HIRA members and other residents of Howe Island about the Township of Frontenac Islands regular council meeting held on Monday November 14, 2023,as well as the special council meeting to present the final 2024 Township budget that was held on December 5, 2023.
Only matters of particular interest to Howe Island residents are highlighted here.
2024 Township budget highlights:
The final 2024 budget tabled on December 5, 2023 provides for the following:
- 2024 property tax bills for residents of Howe Island will increase 15.2% over amounts paid for 2023.
- Operating expenses are expected to increase by 3.8% but high capital expenditures made to repair Island roads in 2023 required a total property tax increase of 15.2% as noted above.
- Wolfe Island residents will also be faced with a 2024 property tax increase of 15.2%.
- Cost of living adjustments (COLA) for township employees have been budgeted at 3.0% for 2024.
- Council notes that 2023 CPI data for Ontario reflects an average 2023 inflation rate of 6.8% year-over-year.
Complete detail about the 2024 Township budget is available in the agenda for the special meeting of Council held on December 5, 2023. Residents can access 2024 budget documents on the Township website using the following link:
https://frontenac.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/238384/
Regular Council Meeting November 14, 2023:
Public Works Report No. PW-008-23 Howe Island October Operations
Public Works Lead, Mike Quinn submitted the report to Council. Some highlights include:
- New Township (East) ferry terminal building has arrived. Skirting and landscaping to be completed in spring of 2024.
- Kayak dock and boat dock at the east ferry terminal have been removed for the winter.
- Grading and maintenance of gravel roads is ongoing
- Trimming of bush along the Howe Island Trail is ongoing
- Two–car limit at the Township Recycling depot has been removed in order to reduce wait times.
By-Law #44-2023 Speed Reduction on Howe Island Roads:
The by-law received third and final reading and was passed at the November 14, 2023 regular Council meeting. Unless otherwise posted, the maximum speed allowed on Howe Island roads is now 60 km/hr.
By-law #49-2023 to restrict trailer access on Township (East) ferry:
Council proposes to remove trailer access on the Township (East) ferry. In future, access to the Township ferry is to be restricted to passenger vehicles only. Allowing trailers to access the smaller Township ferry introduces safety concerns and increases congestion at the ferry landing.
The by-law received first and second reading at the Council meeting held on November 14, 2023. Third reading is expected to take place at the next regular Council meeting on December 11, 2023.
By-law #51-2023 to appoint a Municipal auditor for the Township:
Council authorized the appointment of audit firm KPMG as auditor for the Township for the period 2024-2028. The by-law to appoint KPMG received third and final reading and was passed at the November 14, 2023 regular council meeting.
By-law #53-2023 to establish a Fees & Fares Schedule for Howe Island ferry service for 2024:
A by-law to set new rates for the ferry service to Howe Island received third and final reading and was passed at the November 14, 2023 regular Council meeting. New ferry pass rates for 2024:
Annual pass, single vehicle……….…………….$ 300.00
Discounted annual pass, single vehicle
(Seniors 65+)………………………………………$ 270.00
Additional single vehicle (same name)…………$ 100.00
Discounted single vehicle (Seniors 65+)……….$ 90.00
Annual trailer pass for resident who has
purchased an annual vehicle pass………………$ 300.00
Rates for all single two-way trip charges will not change from 2023 rates.
END of COUNCIL BUSINESS
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
Township Holiday Hours of Operation:
Township offices will be closed from Monday December 25, 2023 through Monday January 1, 2024. The offices will reopen Tuesday January 2, 2024.
Change to Recycling Depot Operations:
The Howe Island recycling depot will not accept any refundable items (bottles or cans) as of January 1, 2024. Residents will be responsible for returning their own refundable items to the appropriate locations (e.g the Beer Store) after the end of 2023.
END OF BRIEFING NOTE
PLEASE NOTE: If you are a member of HIRA, thank you for your support. If you are not a member, please consider joining at $10 per year. Yearly membership dues are due on January 1 of each year. If you have paid, thank you.
If you have not paid, please send or deliver a cheque payable to HIRA to one of our Directors or place a cheque into the HIRA mailbox at the roadside at the Township Office. You can also pay by e-transfer to memberservices@howeisland.org.