The Region of Queens newly approved operating, water utility and capital budget will see residential, resource and commercial taxes go up four cents per $100 of assessment.
Those on Liverpool water utility will see hydrant rates go down one cent, making their tax increase three cents per $100 of assessment.
The budget was passed unanimously by council yesterday after months of planning and deliberation.
The operating budget comes in at just under $22-million. Water utility budget and capital budgets were $758,000 and $22.5-million.
The increased taxes cover costs associated with fire services, street lights, paving and solid waste collection.
Mayor Darlene Norman says this tax increase is necessary to continue offering services at the same level as usual.
“Council are very aware that this is a difficult time for people; we’re very aware of the financial outlook for many people within Queens … but yet we need to keep our infrastructure up,” she said in an interview.
Norman says two of every four cents of the tax rate increase will go directly to the five fire departments in Queens, totaling an additional $196,000 in fire service funding.
This decision was made after a meeting with fire chiefs who told the council they need more funding and felt the public would support the tax increase for fire services.
“We’ve got things we need to fix, we have items that people want and community groups that are looking for support,” she said.
Norman said council knows the tax increase will inevitably hurt some people, but noted there are bylaws that can help lower income people get part of their tax payment back. She also said they’re happy to help people finance the cost of taxes and assist those who need it with applications for a federal subsidy on taxation.
Among the capital projects covered in the budget are the replacement of the Hillside Acres residential care facility building, which is over 100 years old. It will cost $13.6-million. It also accounts for the replacement of a 54-year-old outdoor pool in South Queens with a new aquatic centre for the region, costing $2.5-million.
“We have to make this community one that is attractive for young families … and in order to do that, we need to make sure we’re keeping up with what they may want, Norman said.
