Duane Hicks
As the town continues to work on its 2009 budget, council agreed last night to institute an interim tax levy.
Just as in previous years, the interim levy is equal to about half of the total amount of taxes property owners paid in 2008.
Interim tax levies are a means to secure revenue to keep operating while council determines the final tax rates for 2009 in the 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. 27, 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.
And just like last year, the agreement for 2009 is with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce to borrow sums not to exceed $4 million.
Also at last night’s meeting, council:
•passed a bylaw to assume, stop up, and close for the purpose of selling part of Seventh Street West and a lane in the industrial park;
•passed a bylaw to amend Zoning Bylaw 08/98 (Lots 3-14, 17-25, and Lot 50 of Plan 48M-353, including the closed portion of Seventh Street West between Wright and Keating Avenue) to permit the property be used for a recycle operation for the grinding and recycling of non-contaminated wood waste products;
•passed a bylaw to authorize the execution of a letter of understanding with CUPE pertaining to the observance of Family Day on Feb. 16, 2009;
•referred a financial and in-kind request from the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship Inc. to the Administration and Finance executive committee for its recommendation, with input from the Community Services, Operations and Facilities, and Planning and Development executive committees;
•agreed to provide a letter of support for the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship Inc. to include with its application to the Celebrate Ontario Fund (this year’s FFCBC is slated for July 19-25);
•referred a request from Coun. Ken Perry to review Private Crossings Bylaw No. 32/82 to the Operations and Facilities executive committee for its recommendation;
•received a letter from William Krukoski suggesting the town develop a snow removal crew as an economic initiative; and
•received a list of conferences for mayor and council to attend in 2009.
