Good news for residents and businesses in Queens County.
The Region of Queens has approved the 2017-18 budget and is maintaining last year’s tax rates.
Mayor David Dagley says councillors provided early instructions to staff to hold the tax rates.
“Staff took a very long look at the operation, they crunched numbers and at the end of the day they came back with sufficient reductions to offset the increases we will face going forward.”
Residential/resource rates in District 1-12 are $1.02 per $100 of assessment with an area rate in District 5 and 6 at $0.06.
District 13, the former Town of Liverpool is $1.90 per $100 of assessment.
Commercial rates for District 1-12 are $2.12 per $100 of assessment with an area rate in District 5 and 6 at $0.06.
District 13 is $3.00 per $100 of assessment.
The municipality has an operating budget of $19.2-million, with a surplus of just over $2,900.
The Region of Queens capital budget is $2.5-million and includes funding to complete the Mersey Skatepark and BMX bike trail and infrastructure projects on Main and School Streets.
Meanwhile, the Region of Queens also awarded just over $46,000 in financial grants to 14 community groups.
The Privateer Days Commission was given $10,000.
Executive Director Brian Fralic says they have a great partnership with the Region of Queens.
“It’s a signature festival, it’s really appreciated and it allows us to continue forward and to grow each year.”
Fralic says they are preparing for this year’s festival, which is scheduled from June 23-25 in Liverpool.
Other groups receiving grants include:
Friends of Hank Snow Society – $8,000
Liverpool Ukelele Ceilidh Society – $3,000
Medway Area Communities Association – $1,000
Mersey Band Society – $750
North Queens Board of Trade – $1,500
North Queens Heritage Society – $750
Privateer Days – $10,000
Queens County Learning Network – $1,000
Winds of Change Dramatic Society – $750
Farmers Market, North Queens Board of Trade – $1,000
Queens County Fair Association – $8,000
Queens County Museum – $5,000
Queens County Senior Safety Association – $4,750
