Duane Hicks
With work on the 2011 budget well underway, town council passed a bylaw to institute an interim tax levy at its regular meeting last night.
As in previous years, the interim levy is equal to about half of the total amount of taxes property owners paid in 2010.
Interim tax levies are a means to secure revenue to keep operating while council determines the final tax rates for 2011.
“It is in the best interest of the municipality to begin the collection of taxes each year in a timely manner in order to reduce borrowing costs,” town treasurer Laurie Witherspoon noted in a written report to council.
Implementing interim tax levies is common practice each January. It is permissible under the Municipal Act, 2001.
Since the bylaw was passed last night, interim tax bills will be sent out shortly.
Fifty percent of the levy will be due and payable by Feb. 28, with the balance due by March 31 (the last working day in that month).
Also at last night’s meeting, council:
•appointed Bruce Caldwell and Robert Schulz to the Museum and Cultural Centre Advisory Committee;
•authorized the installation of six additional surveillance cameras at the Memorial Sports Centre at a cost of $6,390,15;
•directed the clerk to reschedule council meeting dates from May 23, Oct. 10, and Dec. 26, 2011 to May 24, Oct. 11, and Dec. 19, 2011, respectively, due to holidays;
•received a post-election report on accessibility measures;
•authorized payment of a 2011 business/organization membership fee to the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in the amount of $60;
•approved a 2011 associate membership to the Northwestern Ontario Tourism Association (NWOTA) in the amount of $70;
•approved a recommendation from the Administration and Finance executive committee that a letter be forwarded to the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board indicating the expectation that the Town of Fort Frances receive direct benefit of the 2011 social assistance benefit program uploads;
•received the preliminary 2011 operating and capital budgets;
•authorized four weddings per season at Sunny Cove Camp during the shoulder seasons;
•heard a report on winter snow-clearing and removal;
•approved council requests for attendance at various 2011 conferences;
•supported a resolution from the Town of Rainy River re: additional support staff at the Riverview Apartments in Rainy River; and
•referred a financial request from Safe Communities Rainy River District, for $.50 per capita funding for its 2010-11 programs, to the Administration and Finance executive committee for its recommendation.
