FORT FRANCES—While council made no decisions regarding funding a new Fort Frances Public Library at Wednesday’s budget meeting, it did run through various tax levy scenarios showing the potential impact if the town chooses to help pay for the project this budget year.
Treasurer Laurie Witherspoon presented council will four possible scenarios reflecting what the tax increase might be for the 2008 budget, taking into consideration not only the operating shortfall but unfinanced capital projects for the year, including the library project.
With an operating shortfall of $118,710, that alone will translate into a 1.344 percent increase to residential taxpayers even before any unfinanced capital projects are included.
This equals an increase $21.07 per $100,000 of assessment.
All of the following scenarios include that 1.344 percent residential increase.
In the first scenario, which includes both the operating shortfall and funding for capital projects in 2008, the town would take on $1,677,784 in long-term debt over 10 years.
This amount includes $1,062,784 for the new library, with the balance being used to fund other capital projects this year. These range from vehicle purchases to road construction.
This option would amount to a 3.8177 percent increase to residential taxpayers, or a hike of $65.39 per $100,000 of assessment.
Other property classes would be affected as follows:
•Multi-residential—4.1835 percent ($168.21);
•Commercial—1.282 percent ($44.78);
•Industrial—1.646 percent ($79.58);
•Large industrial—1.6487 percent ($133.25); and
•Pipeline—2.898 percent ($201.96)
In the second scenario, the town would take on $1,677,784 in long-term debt over 12 years. This amount includes $1,062,784 for the new library.
This option would amount to a 3.5098 percent increase to residential taxpayers, or a jump of $59.87 per $100,000 of assessment.
Other property classes would be affected as follows:
•Multi-residential—3.846 percent ($154.64);
•Commercial—1.178 percent ($50.46);
•Industrial—1.513 percent ($73.16);
•Large industrial—1.515 percent ($121.25); and
•Pipeline—2.664 percent ($188.05)
In the third scenario, including both the operating budget and the capital budget, the town would take on $1,067,380 in long-term debt over 10 years.
This amount includes $452,380 for the new library—the amount council originally had earmarked in early drafts of the budget.
This option would amount to a 2.9117 percent increase to residential taxpayers, or a rise of $49.27 per $100,000 of assessment.
Other property classes would be affected as follows:
•Multi-residential—3.197 percent ($128.56);
•Commercial—0.979 percent ($61.40);
•Industrial—1.258 percent ($60.82);
•Large industrial—1.260 percent ($99.04); and
•Pipeline—2.215 percent ($161.29)
In the fourth scenario, the town would take on $615,000 in long-term debt over five years. This amount includes no money for the new library.
This option would amount to a 2.94 percent increase to residential taxpayers, or a hike of $49.67 per $100,000 of assessment.
Other property classes would be affected as follows:
•Multi-residential—3.222 percent ($129.55);
•Commercial—0.987 percent ($60.98);
•Industrial—1.268 percent ($61.29);
•Large industrial—1.269 percent ($99.89); and
•Pipeline—2.232 percent ($162.31)
The matter of library funding and tax rates will be discussed further during the committee of the whole portion of this coming Monday night’s council meeting.
Many councillors agreed Wednesday they’d like to decide on a “ceiling” dollar amount as to how much council is willing to contribute to the library project in the 2008 budget.
The library board then would have a figure to use in their decision-making.
< *c>Library update
As a follow-up to the April 15 meeting between the town, local public school board, and library board, the library board is expected to meet to discuss any pros and cons of the idea of a joint library project at a meeting April 30.
Library board chair Joyce Cunningham said Wednesday the sole item on that meeting’s agenda is the school board’s proposal.
During the gap between the April 15 meeting and now, she and other board members have been poring over reams of documents to help inform them in any decision-making.
While the library board had intended to meet April 16 to discuss it, many members were absent that day and thus no decisions could be made given the importance of the topic.
< *c>New fire truck
In related news, the tax levy scenarios listed above do not take into account a new item brought forward at Wednesday’s budget meeting—a new pumper truck for the fire department.
Community Services manager George Bell noted that previously it was believed the replacement of the 1977 pumper truck—which is one of two pumper trucks the fire department has—was not essential and could wait a few more years, but usage in the past few months (at the Walker school fire, in particular) has revealed that’s not the case.
While the truck could be repaired for around $100,000, it would not be a certified vehicle.
A new pumper truck will run the town $310,000.
Bell noted having a second pumper truck is necessary. If the town does not have one, it will affect the “pumping capacity” required for a town of this size and with its values (such as the mill), and ultimately will affect fire insurance rates here.
This matter will be on the agenda at Monday night’s council meeting.
(Fort Frances Daily Bulletin)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
