Levies all not set yet

Fort Frances residents may be among the first to get the word but they aren’t the only ones in Northwestern Ontario facing higher taxes.
Although its 1998 budget isn’t expected to be set for another week, Dryden also is looking at a “moderate” tax increase.
“Council is talking about two percent,” administrator John Callan noted Monday. “It might go higher than that but I don’t think it will go three.”
Kenora’s interim budget showed no tax increase, and administrator Bill Preisentanz explained council was aiming to keep it there.
“But at this point, we still have not dealt with the download numbers,” he said yesterday, explaining the “download” numbers Kenora received from the province were out of sync with those given from three of the agencies delivering those services.
As well, he said they still needed to get back the new assessment role and tax ratios. Kenora is shooting to have its final budget in place by the end of May.
Throughout the district, councils are waiting for the new assessments and tax ratios before setting the mill rate. For most, interim bills based on last year’s levy were sent out.
Chapple clerk Doris Dyson, who noted the council there normally set their budget in May, explained there were concerns over the budget process being delayed so long.
“But there’s no way that we can [set our budget] because we don’t have the assessment figures,” she added.
Though nothing is decided yet, Atikokan clerk/treasurer Susan Bryk noted there had been some discussion on an increase. She added no figure was tossed around.
In Rainy River, clerk Irwin Johnston said the 1998 budget wouldn’t be done for another month or so. At this point, he added, there was no talk of a levy increase.
Dawson and Lake of the Woods Townships also are waiting for the assessment roles but clerk Pat Giles felt they could hold their own this year without there being an increase in the levy.
“[But] individuals will definitely see an up and down [in their bills],” he said, explaining the fair market value assessments being done across the province would change the taxes people paid.
“This year [the bill] probably won’t go out until June,” he said, noting they normally don’t issue interim bills.