Denare Beach is pumping nearly $900,000 into capital projects without asking taxpayers for another cent.
Village council’s 2014 budget, approved earlier this year, holds the mill rate steady while funding paving and other infrastructure upgrades.
Mayor Carl Lentowicz said he and council are pleased with the budget, adding that they tried to balance the demand for new projects with fairness to the taxpayer.
The budget forecasts total spending of $2.51 million, up $709,250 – or 39 per cent – over 2013.
However, some projects scheduled for 2013 were not actually finished and have been carried over to 2014.
Not complete
Lentowicz said some paving work had been planned for 2013, but between weather and contractor availability, it was not completed.
Paving has and is proceeding this summer on Moody Drive, the village’s main artery, as well as several other streets in the scenic community of 820 people.
“We don’t know whether we’ll get it all done [this year], but hopefully we’ll get a good portion,” said Lentowicz, adding that weather is key and that any work not finished this year will stretch into next year.
All told Denare Beach plans to spend about $875,000 on capital projects this year, of which paving is but one item.
The village is also buying a vacuum excavator, a pipe-thawing unit, an autoscrubber for the DenarePlex and a man-carrier truck for the fire department.
The capital budget further includes hydrant, lift station and water treatment plant repairs, fire-monitoring alarm upgrades and the construction of a new office at the fire hall.
Alterations to the landfill and a small amount of rock blasting in the new industrial area round out capital spending.
Lentowicz said major, ongoing upgrades at the water treatment plant are nearly done.
Both the water treatment plant and the sewage treatment plant in Denare Beach have undergone modernization work in recent years.
Unlike in years past, both plants are now equipped with power units that ensure continued operation in the event of an electrical failure.
“So that’s quite an advancement,” said Lentowicz.
The 2014 budget factors in a $834,880 deficit, but surplus dollars and savings accounts will help pay for certain projects. Final figures have not been determined, as some projects will be eligible for grant funding.
