The Town of Fort Frances council will begin its annual budget deliberations tonight. This will be the first of five virtual meetings to discuss the municipal budget.
The other meetings will be held on Feb. 7, Feb. 22, March 7 and March 14.
Tonight’s agenda will see council discussing the draft capital budget. Operations and Facilities manager Travis Rob will be presenting a report on the skating path request from the Municipal Accommodation Tax Committee (MAT).
The Rainy River Future Development Corporation MAT Advisory Committee had submitted a report requesting council to build an annual skating trail on Rainy Lake. They said in the report that they believe developing a Rainy Lake skating trail will “not only assist with growing our tourism potential but will be very popular with Fort Frances [residents].”
Rob said there are a lot of factors for council to consider before approving the project, the first being the location and the size of the trail.
Council will also be discussing the analysis of the tax rates, ratios and assessment, along with information from the Economic Development Executive Committee where large industrial tax rates are to be reconsidered.
Town treasurer Dawn Galusha said she encourages residents to tune in and listen to the meeting for information.
Town council meetings are open to the public online through the Microsoft Teams platform or the public can phone-in. To access a town council meeting, follow the instructions at the top of the agenda you would like to attend, posted at www.fortfrances.ca or call 807-274-5323 for assistance.
