Education_taxes

Jeff Green | Mar 02, 2006

Feature Article

Education taxes frozenby Jeff Green

At their meeting this week, Central Frontenac Council received some good news from the Ontario Ministry of Finance. Education taxes, which account for almost of the municipal budget, will not rise in 2006.

In fact, the education rate will be adjusted down to reflect property assessment increases.

“The government is again holding the line on education taxes, ensuring that, on average, homeowners and businesses will not see an increase in the education portion of their tax bills. The uniform residential education tax rate will be lowered to offset the average increase in assessed values across the province,” wrote Finance Minister Dwight Duncan.

Residents of Frontenac County may pay more than other parts of the province, however, because assessment increases in the county averaged 22% this year, higher than the provincial average.

Central Frontenac Mayor Bill MacDonald informed council that county taxes, which make up another of the municipal levy to taxpayers, “will have an increase under 10% this year, according to the preliminary budget.” County council meets this week to work through the budget. “I have my own ideas about where I would like to see the county budget end up,” said MacDonald, implying that the county budget increase can be lowered somewhat.

Central Frontenac Council will meet in late March to begin their own budgeting exercise.