Bingo dabbers and tax talks dominate council agenda

Story by Michelle Baril

How do you make a sweet little old lady swear? Get another sweet little old lady to yell BINGO!!

Now, if you really want to cause a stir, up the licensing fee.

Deputy Mayor Peter Chirico reported that an additional $20 will be added on to the existing $75 cost for Bingo licensing.

North Bay City Council has chosen to cap the local prize boards at $2500 to ensure profits to the charities involved and to also minimalize the chances for loss. This process goes into effect April first.

Tax Policy

"Please think of us as senior citizens," said Bud Maynar to council about the upcoming tax policy presentation. He was asking council to be lenient on the seniors in the community with regards to a tax increase because they rely on a fixed income.

Four years ago Council put together a long-term plan that would gradually lower the tax burden on the community. North Bay runs about middle of the pack; taxes are not low but they aren't as high as other growing municipalities such as Sudbury, Barrie, and Guelph. Councillor Chirico said that there could be a much more significant increase to tax payers.

If we had to fund what we have to do in the city there would be a 4.15% increase," Chirico said.

Industrially the city has reduced tax ratios by half. The multi-residential and commercial areas are where the focus will be. After a ratio for an area is set it can never be raised, only lowered. Once the 25 year plan is complete, the city should have flourished enough to make the foreseen tax reduction possible.

"We'll grow our way out of this problem,” Chirico said.