South Frontenac slides in with moderate budget increases

by Jeff Green

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Unlike some other municipalities, which hold public budget debates, budgeting is an internal affair in South Frontenac.

The treasurer prepares draft information, then meets with the public works manager and each set of district councillors separately to set their portion of the budget, and then meets with council as a whole to confirm numbers for the township portion.

The budget is then finalised and brought to open council for approval.

Although there are four budgets in South Frontenac, with each district paying a different rate, they are within a narrow range.

In 2007, Portland District ratepayers will pay $1,060 for every $100,000 in property assessment they own, up 1.6% from 2006.

Loughborough ratepayers will pay $1,076 for the same assessment, up 2.3% from 2006.

Bedford District saw the greatest increase, 4.06%, to $1,110  for $100,000 in assessment.

Storrington ratepayers will pay 1,108 for every $100,000 in assessment, an increase of 3.67%.

There are special charges added on to tax bills in South Frontenac. These are added as a flat rate to each residential tax bill, regardless of the assessed value of the ratepayer’s house. Each household in the township pays a $17.14 fire levy, and there is a garbage charge that varies from district to district. In Portland and Loughborough the garbage charge is $125, whereas Bedford (where there is no garbage pickup) the charge is only $20.

So, overall taxes in Bedford end up being the lowest in the township. The average property in Bedford, (valued at $150,000) ends up paying about $60 less than a similar property in Portland, and $90 less than a similar property in Loughborough. But they have to take their own garbage to the dump.

Still, Bedford residents have a good deal compared to at least one of their neighbouring townships. A house with an assessed value of $150,000 in Central Frontenac will be levied almost $2,100 in taxes this year - $400 more than the $1703 that is charged for an identical house in Bedford District of South Frontenac, and Central Frontenac residents haul their own garbage to the dump.