Callander has officially set the 2023 tax rate, and the increase is 7.611392 per cent, municipal staff detailed in a recent release. Water and wastewater rate? That has risen 2.1 per cent, and this rate was passed on February 28th.
The cost of delivering “the services Callander expects” has gone up, and “has resulted in a need for additional revenue,” staff noted. Covid-19 put a “tremendous strain” on the supply of materials and equipment, which has added to costs associated with major projects.
It’s costing more to operate the municipality with increased gas prices, heat and hydro. Another significant factor is that the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation “has deferred the 2020 assessment for three years now, which has also played a major contributing factor in the tax rate increase,” staff noted.
“Property values everywhere in Ontario have increased, however the Municipality continues to apply the tax rate to the 2016 assessed value of properties.”
Last year, Callander’s council also adopted a capital asset management plan, and a 10-Year Capital Project Plan for the Waterfront and Downtown. A 10-Year Facility Maintenance Plan was also adopted, and each requires “a dedicated amount of funds in order to reduce the tax burden in future years,” and ensure future maintenance and repairs can be made to municipal infrastructure.
“Council is pulling out nearly $1.2 million from reserves to assist with capital projects this year, and to reduce the burden on taxpayers,” staff explained. The reserves hold around $8 million.
The municipality has a page dedicated to taxes on its website under the “Living Here” tab.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
