Interim tax bills on the way soon

As the town continues to work on its 2008 budget, council agreed last night to institute an interim tax levy.
As in previous years, the interim levy is equal to about half of the total amount of taxes property owners paid in 2007.
Interim tax levies are a means to secure revenue to keep operating while council determines the final tax rates in the 2008 budget.
Implementing interim tax levies is common practice each January. It is permissible under the Municipal Act, 2001.
Interim tax bills are being worked on now and will be sent out shortly. Fifty percent of the levy shall become due and payable by Feb. 29, with the balance due by March 31 (the last working day in that month).
As is normal procedure before the budget is done, council also passed a bylaw last night to authorize temporary borrowing as required until revenues are collected.
Just like last year, the agreement for 2008 is with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce to borrow sums not to exceed $4 million.
< *c>Sabres sign
Also at last night’s meeting, council referred a request from the Fort Frances Jr. Sabres regarding placement of the team’s promotional signage to the Planning and Development executive committee for its recommendation.
The Sabres are asking for permission to place signage—rented from Belluz Concrete Rentals—on town property located immediately east of the Tim Hortons’ exit.
This signage would be there for two-three months to advertise and promote Sabres’ hockey games, as well as the upcoming SIJHL all-star showdown which Fort Frances is hosting Feb. 1-2.
Similar signage was placed at this location during the 2006 OFSAA hockey championships here.
Also at last night’s meeting, council:
•approved the adjustment of taxes for property located at 8 Armstrong Pl.;
•referred a $.50 per capita funding request from the Rainy River Valley Safety Coalition for their 2007-08 safety programs to the Administration and Finance executive committee for its recommendation;
•referred a funding request from the Lions Club of Fort Frances park committee regarding the proposed walkway at the Lions Millennium Park to the 2008 budget process;
•supported a resolution from the City of Waterloo regarding infrastructure funding for municipalities;
•passed a bylaw to authorize the entering into of certain contracts with Bill Nicholson, Marilyn McCoy, Gord and Cindy Campbell, Linda Beadow and Steve Dann, and Tom Piotrowski with respect to the provision of janitorial services at town facilities;
•passed a bylaw to approve a licensing and software maintenance agreement with Stone Orchard Software for cemetery record purposes;
•approved a bylaw to approve an agreement with Paul Heayn with respect to services as a meeting investigator;
•received an invitation to the Alzheimer Society’s “Chefs’ Charitable Dinner and Auction” on Sunday, Jan. 20 at the Adventure Inn, and agreed to buy four tickets at a cost of $200; and
•received an invitation to the “Community Chest” benefit dinner on Feb. 17 at La Place Rendez-Vous, and agreed to by a table of 10 at a cost of $300.