WHITEWATER REGION — Three bylaws were read and passed at the meeting of the Council of the Township of Whitewater Region last night.
2020 Tax Rates
Bylaw 20-06-1294 was carried after being motioned by Councillor Charlene Jackson and seconded by Councillor Daryl McLaughlin. The bylaw establishes the 2020 tax rates for the Township of Whitewater Region.
Treasurer Sean Crozier gave a brief overview at the meeting live-streamed on the Township’s YouTube page. He stated for residential properties per $100,000 of assessment, the municipal impact of the 2020 tax rates is a decrease of $2.46 or 0.39 per cent.
To fund the services provided, Mr. Crozier said the Township relies on four sources for revenue which are taxation, grants, user fees and contributions from reserves. He explained taxation represents 49 per cent of the revenue generated in 2020. He said policing costs the Township $1,101,102 and the portion of the tax bill which covers policing is 19 per cent.
Councillor Neil Nicholson asked if the low proportion for farming was before or after the discount. Mr. Crozier said it does take the discount into consideration. A discussion then occurred between Mr. Crozier, Councillor Jackson, Councillor Nicholson, and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Robert Tremblay.
They discussed whether this should be funded by the tax paying residents or the Provincial government. It was determined rates will be compared with other municipalities after they are submitted by the deadline on July 9.
Open Air Bylaw
Bylaw 20-06-1292 was carried after being motioned by Councillor Jackson and seconded by Councillor Chris Olmstead. It establishes an open air burning and permitting system.
Building Bylaw
Bylaw 20-06-1293 was carried with no questions after being motioned by Reeve Cathy Regier and seconded by Councillor Jackson. It will regulate construction, demolition, change of use permits, inspections, and establish a code of conduct for building officials.
