Interim tax bills on the way

As the town continues to work on its 2007 budget, council agreed to institute an interim tax levy at Monday night’s regular meeting.
As in previous years, the interim levy is equal to about half of the total amount of taxes property owners paid in 2006.
Interim tax levies are a means to secure revenue to keep operating while council determines the final tax rates in the 2007 budget.
Implementing interim tax levies is common practice each January and has been done in the past. 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. 28, with the balance due by March 30 (the last working day in that month).
As is normal procedure before the budget is done, council passed a bylaw in mid-December to authorize temporary borrowing as required until revenues are collected.
Just like last year, the agreement for 2007 is with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce to borrow sums not to exceed $4 million.
< *c>Museum work
Also Monday night, council received a report from museum renovation project manager Brian Avis, who noted the work is on schedule to be completed by Feb. 1.
Building systems, like security, ventilation, and fire alarms, are being checked and he expected the building will be fit to receive an occupancy permit from Chief Building Official Rick Hallam on Friday (Jan. 26).
If this is the case, museum staff will start moving back into the building on Saturday or Sunday.
Council also authorized Monday night the purchase of high-density mobile storage units for the museum at a cost not to exceed $30,000.
This was recommended by Avis to store items in the basement of the newly-renovated museum.
Also Monday night, council:
•approved the December, 2006 drinking water systems monthly report, which included no negative reports of poor water pressure or quality;
•awarded a tender for a 14-foot cube van to Sunset Country Ford Ltd. at a gross cost of $50,315.04 (GST included);
•agreed to change the date of the second council meeting in February from Feb. 26 to Feb. 19 (this is because the mayor, CAO, and several councillors will be away at the Ontario Good Roads Association/Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference in Toronto on Feb. 25-28); and
•received monthly reports from the waste disposal site, waste water treatment facility, and airport.