Final budget figures mean decrease in taxes for average homeowner in Huron-Kinloss

It was good news for taxpayers in the Township of Huron-Kinloss.

At the council meeting last night (April 17), a report from treasurer Jodi MacArthur indicated the final 2017 overall taxes for an average residential property will decrease by almost $20.

Back in March, MacArthur's figures did not include the provincial education tax rate for this year. Therefore, the budget was set at a 2.9-per-cent increase for the municipal tax rate. This equated to an increase of $5.04 for the average township property assessed at $238,306.

At that point, the overall tax increase, including the Bruce County levy and the provincial education tax, was set at a 2.62-per-cent increase, meaning an extra $2.36 for the average homeowner.

Last night, MacArthur's report stated that the residential tax rate for Ontario has been set at 0.179, down from 0.188 in 2016. Therefore, when combined with the county levy and the municipal portion, the tax-rate increase is only 1.82 per cent over 2016.

For the average residential assessment, that results in an overall decrease of $19.09, reported MacArthur.

The 2017 budget contains almost $7.5-million in operating expenses, and $3.85-million in capital expenditures.

In an earlier budget report, MacArthur said the township experienced some assessment growth which helped off-set the tax-rate increase. In prior years, the changes have been mostly in residential assessment, she said, but for 2017-2020, the major increases are in the farmland class. The total taxable residential assessment has increased by only one per cent for 2017, compared to 20 per cent in the farmland class.

Councillor Don Murray asked if council had ever considered a multi-year budget, allowing better planning for such things as equipment and road-paving.

“Past councils have authorized multi-year expenses in order to get our fleet back up to shape,” said councillor Jim Hanna.

Murray said that the four-year reassessment by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) unfortunately doesn't line up with the four-year municipal council term.

Mayor Mitch Twolan said nothing can be done until after the next election.

Council approved the 2017 tax rate bylaw.