How does the levy limit impact your community's services? Limitations on staff - FTE's have been decreasing over the years. Strain on capital equipment purchases that do not have a long life that we do not want to borrow for (vehicles). Decline on maintenance and projects for amenities such as parks. Cuts to recreation programs.
How does the levy limit impact your community's budgeting practices and finances, eg, your amount of borrowing? The levy limits encourage borrowing, which is more expensive for us because of interest. There is certain equipment that we must have to function, so we must borrow for it. Very difficult to maintain an adequate fund balance to cover small projects, cash flow, etc. without further borrowing.
How does the levy limit impact your community's staffing levels and employee compensation? FTEs have declined by .5 since 2013. Difficult to be competitive with wages.
Anything else you'd like to say regarding the impact of levy limits on your community? We are looking at what we need to spend to maintain adequate paid-on-call staffing for emergency services (EMTs). Any changes may force a referendum as there is zero room to maneuver right now.