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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nStaying true to its commitments<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIn order to provide taxpayers with an accurate picture of the entire budget, the council wanted to include all relevant and comparative data on the Town\u2019s financial situation in its presentation. Foremost, the council has kept its election promise not to increase general property tax rates. This was done to avoid putting a strain on the budgets of those with lower incomes. Service rates have followed the normal cost inflation trends, however, neither water services nor septic tank emptying services have been increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The total amount for the 2022 budget for the Town of Sutton is $13,155,498, which is $1,134,570 (9.4%) more than last year. Overall, expenses have increased by almost two million dollars. This reflects the necessary increase that the municipality needed to implement in order to serve a population of up to 8,000 people, including cottagers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am very pleased with this budget, which lays the foundation for our future actions and will allow us to considerably improve our capacity for sound management,\u201d commented Mayor Robert Beno\u00eet. \u201cI wanted above all to compare our situation with neighbouring towns or towns of similar size, and this has reinforced my observation: our budget is right in the average, at around $15 million.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moderate increases<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nDepending on the category, an average property ($341,407 in 2022) will see its tax bill increase in the village sector by 4.62% ($136.42), in the mountain sector by 4.85% ($139.85) and by 3.32% ($85.41) if there are no water and sewer services provided. These increases remain below the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which is an increase of 5.1%. In order to balance the budget without increasing general property taxes or passing on the cost of inflation, Town will draw on its surplus reserves to the tune of $1,561,424, for the current year. However, the mayor stressed that in the future this is not a viable option, as revenues must now cover expenses. \u201cWe will implement management ratios to rigorously control our budget and evaluate our capacity to carry out various projects,\u201c he announced. \u201cWe need to prepare for the impact of the next assessment roll which will be expected in 2023.\u201d The Town intends to draft a financial policy that will, among other things, set the level of reserves around 25% of the budget, or the equivalent of three months of operating costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Major projects starting in 2022<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIn detailing the 2022 budget, Director General Pascal Smith explained the main reasons for the increases in expenses: \u201cA large part of this is due to the $1.3 million increase in payroll, which is reflected in all budget items. This is due to the salary catch-up that occurred in the fall of 2021 when the terms and conditions of employment for municipal employees were renewed<\/a> for five years. All of the additions to the budget are very positive elements that will improve our services to citizens. In particular, we have planned the implementation of measures to save drinking water, the addition of resources in urban planning and recreation, a new resource in environment, a budget for consultation and communication, an extension of the service contract of the S.P.A. des Cantons and a 5% increase in grants to NPOs.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSince the Town of Sutton\u2019s debt level is well below the average for the MRC and Quebec, Council wishes to take advantage of this leverage and the low borrowing rates to promote the launch of several major projects as early as 2022. According to the 2022-2023-2024 Three-Year Capital Investment Program (PTI), major infrastructure work is planned to continue the efforts already accomplished in 2021. The main focus is on Western Street and North Sutton, Draper, Schweizer and Vall\u00e9e-Missisquoi roads. Other major projects are planned for 2022, such as the improvement of municipal parks, the renovation of Gagn\u00e9 Park, a participatory budget, the purchase of bike racks, the implementation of software to improve services to citizens (e.g.: complaint management, online payments). \u201cWe have focused, for the moment, on the current year\u2019s projects,\u201d said the mayor, \u201cbut we want to develop a vision for the years to come that will guide us in matters such as urban planning, drinking water and our community facilities. From this vision will come several major long-term projects that we intend to finance on a user-payer basis.\u201d In conclusion, the mayor thanked the entire administration team, especially the treasury department and the general management who worked very hard to prepare this budget. \u201cCouncil is proud to be able to count on a competent and motivated municipal team to carry out all our projects. With our human resources already stretched to the limit, we will need to give them the means to meet the high ambitions we have for the town.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Depending on the category, an average property ($341,407 in 2022) will see its tax bill increase in the village sector by 4.62% ($136.42), in the mountain sector by 4.85% ($139.85) and by 3.32% ($85.41) if there are no water and sewer services provided. These increases remain below the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which is an increase of 5.1%. In order to balance the budget without increasing general property taxes or passing on the cost of inflation, Town will draw on its surplus reserves to the tune of $1,561,424, for the current year. However, the mayor stressed that in the future this is not a viable option, as revenues must now cover expenses. \u201cWe will implement management ratios to rigorously control our budget and evaluate our capacity to carry out various projects,\u201c he announced. \u201cWe need to prepare for the impact of the next assessment roll which will be expected in 2023.\u201d The Town intends to draft a financial policy that will, among other things, set the level of reserves around 25% of the budget, or the equivalent of three months of operating costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Major projects starting in 2022<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIn detailing the 2022 budget, Director General Pascal Smith explained the main reasons for the increases in expenses: \u201cA large part of this is due to the $1.3 million increase in payroll, which is reflected in all budget items. This is due to the salary catch-up that occurred in the fall of 2021 when the terms and conditions of employment for municipal employees were renewed<\/a> for five years. All of the additions to the budget are very positive elements that will improve our services to citizens. In particular, we have planned the implementation of measures to save drinking water, the addition of resources in urban planning and recreation, a new resource in environment, a budget for consultation and communication, an extension of the service contract of the S.P.A. des Cantons and a 5% increase in grants to NPOs.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSince the Town of Sutton\u2019s debt level is well below the average for the MRC and Quebec, Council wishes to take advantage of this leverage and the low borrowing rates to promote the launch of several major projects as early as 2022. According to the 2022-2023-2024 Three-Year Capital Investment Program (PTI), major infrastructure work is planned to continue the efforts already accomplished in 2021. The main focus is on Western Street and North Sutton, Draper, Schweizer and Vall\u00e9e-Missisquoi roads. Other major projects are planned for 2022, such as the improvement of municipal parks, the renovation of Gagn\u00e9 Park, a participatory budget, the purchase of bike racks, the implementation of software to improve services to citizens (e.g.: complaint management, online payments). \u201cWe have focused, for the moment, on the current year\u2019s projects,\u201d said the mayor, \u201cbut we want to develop a vision for the years to come that will guide us in matters such as urban planning, drinking water and our community facilities. From this vision will come several major long-term projects that we intend to finance on a user-payer basis.\u201d In conclusion, the mayor thanked the entire administration team, especially the treasury department and the general management who worked very hard to prepare this budget. \u201cCouncil is proud to be able to count on a competent and motivated municipal team to carry out all our projects. With our human resources already stretched to the limit, we will need to give them the means to meet the high ambitions we have for the town.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since the Town of Sutton\u2019s debt level is well below the average for the MRC and Quebec, Council wishes to take advantage of this leverage and the low borrowing rates to promote the launch of several major projects as early as 2022. According to the 2022-2023-2024 Three-Year Capital Investment Program (PTI), major infrastructure work is planned to continue the efforts already accomplished in 2021. The main focus is on Western Street and North Sutton, Draper, Schweizer and Vall\u00e9e-Missisquoi roads. Other major projects are planned for 2022, such as the improvement of municipal parks, the renovation of Gagn\u00e9 Park, a participatory budget, the purchase of bike racks, the implementation of software to improve services to citizens (e.g.: complaint management, online payments). \u201cWe have focused, for the moment, on the current year\u2019s projects,\u201d said the mayor, \u201cbut we want to develop a vision for the years to come that will guide us in matters such as urban planning, drinking water and our community facilities. From this vision will come several major long-term projects that we intend to finance on a user-payer basis.\u201d In conclusion, the mayor thanked the entire administration team, especially the treasury department and the general management who worked very hard to prepare this budget. \u201cCouncil is proud to be able to count on a competent and motivated municipal team to carry out all our projects. With our human resources already stretched to the limit, we will need to give them the means to meet the high ambitions we have for the town.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n