North Frontenac property taxes to go up by 3.64 per cent

Craig Bakay | Feb 23, 2022

North Frontenac received its 2022 draft budget for information at a special (online) Council meeting with very few changes meaning the tax hike in 2022 will be 3.64 per cent or $229,744. The actual budget will likely be passed at the regular Feb. 25 meeting.

“The pandemic has brought an unprecedented number of mandated and stress,” said Mayor Ron Higgins. “And the inflation rate affects all, particularly capital projects.

“(But) our reserves are healthy (and) we are conducting business as usual.

“I do not foresee any major negative impacts.”

In total, the Township expects to raise $6,533,542 through taxation as opposed to $6,303,78 in 2021

Treasurer Kelly Watkins said there are no changes to MPAC assessments this year.

“MPAC is supposed to look at new assessments for 2024 but that hasn’t been confirmed yet,” she said.

So, all this means that on a residence assessed at $100,000, there will be a $25.86 increase of which 2.97 per cent or $20.17 is municipal, 3.03 per cent or $5.69 is County and 0 per cent (ie no change) is education.

A single family home assessed at $115,000 paid $1,173.11 in 2021 but will pay $1,202.84 in 2022, a difference of $29.73. A seasonal recreational dwelling assessed at $231,000 paid $2,356.42 in 2021 but will pay $2,416.14 in 2022, an increase of $59.72.

Council did approve $5,400 in funding for the Rural Frontenac Community Services Programs for Rural Youth.

“This has been in our budget for I can’t tell you how many years, so it is a taxation item,” Watkins said.

Council didn’t commit any funds to Coun. John Inglis’s Electric Vehicle Charging Station but did instruct staff to monitor for upcoming funding opportunities and bring back feasible opportunities to Council at that time.

“There is a revenue stream there, but it may take 20 years,” Inglis said.

“(But) this is only a concept, there’s no business plan attached to it,” said Coun. Vernon Hermer.

“I think this is something the private sector will have to take care of,” said Dep. Mayor Gerry Martin. “I don’t think it’s something the Township should be involved in.”

Perhaps the most contentious issue followed with the CAO/Managers report recommending the addition of a new position, Clerical Assistant/Crown Land Stewardship Program to the organizational chart.

“Be prepared for some push-back,” said Inglis. “We are going to be criticized for it.”

“Empire here,” said Coun. Wayne Good. “I’m not for it.”

“I’m kind of questioning it as well,” said Coun. Fred Fowler.

“I don’t think it’s necessary,” said Hermer.

“Fifty per cent of the salary comes from revenues from our camping program,” said Manager of Community Services Cory Klatt. “Inquiries about the program are climbing.

“It’s very busy (and) revenues have reached $297,800, or double what it was in 2016.”

“I understand that growth has to be controlled and I choose to believe what staff are telling me,” said Inglis. “We’re running a business here and that business needs more staff.

“I’d be in support if it was self-supporting but not subsidized by tax dollars,” said Hermer.

In a recorded vote, Council approved the new position 4-2 with Hermer and Good opposed.

Council approved Committee of Adjustment members being paid $113.21 per meeting and $0 to complete a site inspection. The rate in 2017 was $102.38 to attend a meeting and $18.85 to attend a site inspection.

“I think it’s important to keep people interested in being on the committee,” said Fowler. “Some places are hard to get into.”

Council approved the installation of Dry Hydrants in Wards two and three at a rate of one hydrant per year until all locations meeting the installation parameters are exhausted.

Council approved topping up the Community Improvement Plan fund by $13,000 from the Economic Development but which tops up the amount available for new applications to $30,000 for 2022.

Council approved $40,000 from the Parks Reserve Fund for the Helen Lane Boat Launch on Big Gull Lake to expand the parking area.

Council turned down a request from the Ontario Ice Fishing Challenge for $1,000 (actually $1,100 with sponsorship agreement).

Good led the charge against the involvement by disagreeing with the Longest Walleye contest.

“You’re only allowed one walleye over 15 inches,” he said. (Actually, in Zone 18, you’re allowed four which must be between 40 and 50 centimetres which is 15.8 to 19.7 inches.)

The $1,100 was allocated to the bylaw enforcement contract.

And, for the second straight year, Public Works Manager Darwyn Sproule’s roads budget was unquestioned, prompting cudos from the Mayor and Council.

“We’re so busy with surface treatment, gravel, culverts and modernization that I couldn’t really dream up anything new,” said Sproule.