CONMEE – Conmee Township has managed to pull off what many small Ontario municipalities have struggled to do in the post pandemic-era: keep a lid on property-tax increases.
Council approved this week a $1.89-million budget that contains an overall tax increase of just under three per cent.
Mayor Sheila Maxwell credited management for obtaining grants that offset the costs of some pricey projects, including a cover for the community rink, a well for flooding the rink and a new generator for the local fire department.
“We have done well under the grants,” Maxwell said in an email.
How much municipal tax Conmee property owners pay depends on the value of their properties, which is set by the province.
Maxwell said the owner of a modest bungalow on nine acres of land would get a tax bill in the range of $4,000-$5,000.
According to Conmee’s 2024 budget summary, taxpayers will pay this year about $659,000 for general government expenses, $271,000 for administration, $106,500 for emergency services and $78,000 for council expenses, including councillor wages.
The township is to take in just over $1 million in revenue from local taxes, mostly from residential properties.
“We are a residential community — we don’t have commercial taxes to set us off on our residential taxes,” Maxwell said.
Though the overall tax increase is on the low side compared to some neighbouring municipalities, Conmee residents will pay more in 2024 for some essential services.
The municipality’s Ontario Provincial Police contract is rising to $88,000, or about $20,000 more than 2023, according to the budget document.
As well, the cost of operating Conmee’s community complex is to go up to nearly $91,550, compared to $82,500 last year. Council costs are also spiking to $78,000 compared to just $64,000 in 2023.
On the plus side, emergency services expenses dropped by about $50,000 compared to last year, the budget document shows.
Maxwell said that while she is glad to pass on a modest tax increase, she suggested residents shouldn’t expect one every year.
”I’m pleased that we didn’t have a huge increase, (but) candidates that promise to lower taxes are going to be taking away services from the residents, or have a magical pot of gold somewhere.”
The Chronicle Journal / Local Journalism Initiative
