by Tristan Turner
Morinville taxpayers now have an idea of how the Town Budget will affect their own budget with some clear numbers from Administration on tax rates. At their Committee of the Whole meeting, Council received a report from Shawna Jason, Interim Director of Financial Services for the Town, who informed Council that to support the 2016 budget, ratepayers would be paying approximately $61.40 more this year, based on a home valued at $300,000.
This increase includes a $0.27 increase to Sturgeon Foundation requisition, and a $1.64 increase to the school requisition, both rates that are not set by the Town. The municipal tax increase is $59.49 based on a $300,000 home, a three per cent rise over last year.
The total percentage increase from last year’s final total is 2.24 per cent after the lower percentage increases are averaged out with the Town increase.
These rates will be brought to Council Apr. 26, where motions to set the rates will be brought forward for discussion and debate. These numbers represent what would be needed to be raised in taxes by the Town to meet their budget numbers.
These numbers are averages assuming a $300,000 property value, so individual resident’s bills will be different come tax time, particularly if the assessed value of a property significantly changed due to renovations or other changes.
