Feature Article September 2, 2004
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Cottage Associations seeking input into NF budgetby Jeff Green
North Frontenac Mayor Ron Maguire has set up two meetings this summer with cottage association representatives in order to increase the involvement of seasonal residents in township affairs. The meetings have been well attended, and have led to a request by cottage associations to gain a seat at long-term budgeting meetings that Mayor Maguire has envisioned for this fall.
David Elliott, President of the Mazinaw Lake Association addressed the latest public meeting, held last Saturday in Plevna, about 20 minutes before the end of the meeting. Elliott asked the audience, What is the most important issue for cottagers. The audience members didnt hesitate. Taxes they called out in unison.
Elliott then introduced Association member Doug Piercy, who has made a study of the 2004 township budget. Piercy thanked the township staff for making a detailed budget available to the public, and praised the work of township treasurer, Cheryl Robson.
He then referred to an $800,000 increase in the roads budget, and a 14% increase in the salaries and wages in the municipal payroll, both of which took place in 2004. Doug Piercy pointed out that, in spite of a decrease in the tax rate in North Frontenac, which amounted to a savings of $64 for every $100,000 of property assessment, the actual amount of tax we have paid has increased dramatically as the township budget has been increased. This increase was possible because of assessment increases in the order of $50 million dollars for existing properties, mostly waterfront properties.
What concerns David Elliott, and the bulk of the people at the meeting, is the fact that waterfront property owners have seen increases in taxation in the order of 20% or more each year for the past few years. If this kind of increase had been proposed in Hamilton, or Toronto, or Kingston, it would not be accepted by taxpayers. We cannot accept another 20% increase next year.
The mayor and five councillors were present, as was the townships clerk/administrator Penny Sharman, and David Elliott presented a short document to them.
The document reads, in part, In the last two years it is not uncommon for North Frontenac shore front property owners to have had their taxes increased by up to 4%. This is an unconscionable increase. After a careful examination of your 2004 budget we feel initiatives must be taken to ensure that there is not a repeat of this magnitude again.
The Mazinaw Property Owners Association has three proposals for consideration by Council:
? Cottage Associations be given one non-voting seat at the long-term budget deliberations.
? A committee of three representatives of cottage associations be permitted to have periodic and ongoing dialogue with council and administration.
? The township web site be used to provide periodic financial summaries for all tax payers.
Then David Elliott said the Mazinaw Property Owners Association would like a response to the proposals from Council within two weeks of the next Council meeting.
There was little time left in the meeting for comments by the other property association representatives, but in a straw vote on the proposals just about everyone in attendance, save the Mayor and members of Council, raised their hands in support of the proposals that had been presented.
North Frontenacs next township meeting is scheduled for September 9.
