Callander's Municipal Council approves 2.65 percent tax increase

Callander Council Adopts 2011 Operating and Capital Budgets; 2.65% Increase to Municipal Property Taxes Approved. Details in news release below.

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At its Special Meeting held on April 12th, Callander's Municipal Council approved Operating and Capital budgets resulting in a 2.65 percent increase in the taxes paid on local properties.

Total Operating Budget expenditures of some $5.8 Million and Capital Budget expenditures of some $846,000 were confirmed in Council's deliberations. A total to be paid by ratepayers through property taxes in the amount of $3.231 Million was approved. Local Sewer and Water rates will be increased by approximately 3% in 2011.

Based upon local residential assessments, ratepayers will see an increase of between $31 to $63 per year over 2010 levies. For an average user of the Municipal water and wastewater system, the rate will increase by approximately $22 per year, from $767 (2010) to $769 (2011).

"Costs to deliver services are increasing, funding is declining and infrastructure is aging" commented Deputy Mayor Virginia Onley.

"Council has made every attempt to find efficiencies, to look at priority items and meet our legislative obligations to pay increased levies to a number of Boards which provide public services." Onley also noted that the 3% increase in water and sewer rates is necessary to operate and allow for capital works on these systems which provide safe drinking water and wastewater treatment.

Mayor Hector Lavigne also commented on the 2011 Budget. "We appreciate the efforts of our Committees, municipal staff and the rest of Council in bringing in a budget that balances the provision of services and prepare for our future needs."

The 2011 Budget process commenced in December of 2010 and will be concluded with Council's approval of Tax Rate and Tax Ratio By-laws on April 19th.

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