Many homeowners face higher property taxes this year, but the City of Flin Flon is not reaping significant revenue increases as a result.
That’s the word from Mayor Cal Huntley, who addressed rising property assessments and taxes at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
Huntley had previously said the city did not intend for a dramatic increase to its bottom line based on this year’s taxes.
Though he did not have the figures in front of him when asked for comment, he said there indeed was no “huge windfall” for municipal coffers.
According to the city’s 2016 budget, the tax levy – excluding the grant in lieu of taxes paid by Hudbay – will generate $8.39 million this year. That’s an additional $622,309, or eight per cent, over 2015.
Even though the city held its portion of the tax rate steady this year, and the Flin Flon School Division slightly lowered its portion, many homeowners must contend with tax hikes because the assessed value of their properties increased. The provincial government conducts assessments.
Huntley said council cannot change taxes on individual properties. As he has many times in the past, he reiterated council’s hope that the provincial government will allow municipalities to impose a minimum property tax, also known as a base tax.
Critics of a base tax fear it would unreasonably increase taxes on low-end homes and place low-income homeowners and renters in a difficult financial position.
Huntley addressed such social concerns, saying “Creighton doesn’t seem to be experiencing any of that” despite a base tax that is permitted by the Saskatchewan government.
The mayor said Manitoba’s new PC government has said it would look at a base tax but has made no promises.
While many Flin Flon homeowners saw higher taxes this year, others received lower bills.
Dog park
Huntley said council is not actively pursuing other options for a dog park after the proposed location on Riverside Drive was taken off the table for the time being.
The mayor described the dog park concept as “in the parking lot” with other issues that should not be forgotten but are not being dealt with at this time.
“We’re open to other locations and we’ll look for other opportunities, but there’s some fiscal responsibility that needs to go around with that,” added Huntley. “I mean, that’s why we certainly looked at the [Riverside Drive baseball diamond] because infrastructure-wise, it was pretty much all there. But we heard the neighbourhood [concerns]. I didn’t say we wouldn’t go back there at some point in time, but for now that’s a done deal. And we’ll keep our eyes open for other opportunities.”
Back-ups
Work to resolve ongoing sewer back-ups around the Aspen Grove apartments is “a work in progress,” Huntley said.
For the past several years, residents of the apartment complex and the nearby block of Parkway Boulevard have complained of sewage backups that occur during rainfall.
“I’m here tonight to make sure that you people know that there is feces backing up on that street every time it rains,” Parkway Boulevard resident Kelly Peever told council last month.
At that time, three councillors indicated they thought the problem had already been resolved.
Huntley said Tuesday the city has confirmed back-ups remain a problem. He said he believes the city’s Engineering Services Committee has “some tentative solutions that they’re going over,” but council had not yet reviewed those proposals.
“[Director of Works and Operations] Charles [Boulet] has reviewed the situation and they’re going to make some recommendations to us in the near future,” he added.
Board changes
Huntley congratulated retiring Flin Flon Public Library board members Buz Trevor and
Blaine Veitch. Trevor was board chairman until he recently stepped down.
Huntley welcomed Coun. Bill Hanson as the new board chairman.
“I appreciate you taking the role on,” Huntley told Hanson. “It’s a pretty auspicious board. It’s been around for a long time.”
“It’s my favourite board,” said Hanson.
Miscellaneous
Council voted to spend $37,993 to restore a privately owned Phelan Avenue garage damaged by broken water lines. The damage was deemed to be the city’s responsibility.
The vote was not unanimous, as Hanson abstained. In an interview, he explained that he did not agree with the process used in this situation.
Council approved the latest monthly animal control officer’s report, which noted that one dog was captured in August. The dog was turned over to the SPCA.
Huntley congratulated the Flin Flon Bombers on a season-opening win that brought a good turnout of fans last Friday, Sept. 16.
Coun. Guy Rideout commended recreation manager Nicole Hartman and city workers for resolving a recent water and sewer issue by the South Hudson Street park.
He said the issue was nipped in the bud and the park is “ready to rock and roll for next spring.”
