Timmins residents getting property tax increase
If you live in Timmins, get ready to pay more in property tax.
Tuesday night, city council approved its 2024 taxation fund budget with a three per cent increase.
To keep the rate hike to three per cent, council is taking $260,000 from the city's reserves.
However, a city official told CTV News that how much extra taxpayers will pay won't be known until April as the city is still waiting for some numbers to come in.
"The next step is confirming 2024 school board and property assessments and approved budgets for the city’s service partners and provincially mandated programs, before approving the final tax rates for 2024,'" Natalie Moore, the city's director of finance, is quoted as saying in the news release.
Timmins' net operating budget is $36,741,667 this year.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
"The operating budget covers the cost of daily municipal services such as maintenance of city roads, public transit, garbage collection, snow removal, and parks and arena maintenance," the city said.
More than $10 million of the $38 million capital budget will be covered by taxes, while the balance will be covered by the city's reserves.
"Capital funds support the creation, repair, or replacement of municipal assets that are required to deliver daily services to the community, including infrastructure like roads. This amount does not include capital expenses related to water and wastewater, which are approved as part of the separate utilities fund budget," the city said.
Here are a few things included in the capital budget:
- $2.1 million for road repair through the City’s grind and pave program
- $3.5 million (offset by funding) for upgrades to the Mattagami and Porcupine bridges as part of Connecting Link rehabilitation
- $2 million (offset by funding) for repairs to the Mattagami boat launch pier and retaining wall
- $1.7 million in fleet purchases for the Timmins Fire Department
- $5.6 million for Porcupine River Bridge construction (offset with reserve and funding)
- Continue Golden Manor redevelopment
- Final downtown segment of the Connecting Link
- Implementing some recommendations from the updated recreation master plan
"We are focused on meeting residents’ daily needs and making long-term plans that will move Timmins forward with room for expansion and development," city CAO Dave Landers is quoted as saying in the news release.
"We recognize that our financial resources are finite, and have worked diligently to balance service delivery with capital demand, such as road and infrastructure upgrades."
Mayor Michelle Boileau said city council focused on how it can work to improve the quality of life of residents.
"The budget will support a variety of projects and programs that will rehabilitate necessary infrastructure, prioritize community safety and well-being, and encourage growth and development," Boileau said.
TRANSIT MODERNIZATION
Meanwhile, Timmins transit said it has some modernization plans in the works for this year.
Officials said this includes four new conventional buses, a new fare box system and the introduction of a micro-transit pilot project for riders in the Porcupine and South Porcupine areas.
This will include the use of a new Timmins on-demand app currently in development.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
Panama prepares to evacuate first island in face of rising sea level
On a tiny island off Panama's Caribbean coast, about 300 families are packing their belongings in preparation for a dramatic change. Generations of Gunas who have grown up on Gardi Sugdub in a life dedicated to the sea and tourism will trade that next week for the mainland’s solid ground.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
Pedestrian dies after being hit by train in Brockville, Ont.
Brockville Police says a pedestrian has died following a collision with a train that was heading to Toronto.
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.
Beef on and off the ice: Who has the best steak between Alberta and Texas?
As the Edmonton Oilers battle the Dallas Stars in the Stanley Cup Playoffs' Western Conference Finals, there's some beef brewing off the ice as well.
Trump election victory 'very unlikely,' but 'possible': former FBI director Comey
Former FBI director James Comey says while he believes former U.S. president Donald Trump "will be defeated" in the upcoming presidential election, he doesn’t think it’s a given.
Chad Daybell sentenced to death for killing wife and girlfriend’s two children in jury decision
Jurors resumed deliberations Saturday on whether a man should be sentenced to death after being convicted days earlier of the murders of his wife and his girlfriend’s two youngest children in Idaho.