Municipality of Pontiac 2006 budget, taxes up
Mo Laidlaw
The 2006 budget of $4.83 million, adopted by a majority of the Pontiac council on 21 December 2005, is nearly 20% higher than last year’s, a $792,846 increase. The general rate of property tax rises from $7.68 to $8.56 per $1000 of evaluation. The total value of taxable property in the municipality of Pontiac (evaluation), has increased by $36 million (12%) to $342 million, due to re-evaluations and new building.
The big ticket items
Municipal roads are the largest single item at $1.02 million. With the addition of snow removal $304,950, and street lights and road signs, the total public works cost is $1.38 million, up 6% from 2005. The municipality will pay 100% of the cost for repairs to tolerance roads.
The contribution to MRC-des-Collines police is up 22% to $952,203.
Administration is up 12% to $671,512. This includes a 41% increase in council costs to $117,538 to allow for increased pay for councillors (not yet passed).
Garbage pickup is up 41% to $580,893. This includes $120,000 for recycling bins.
Costs for recreational, leisure and cultural activities, which include parks, libraries and community centres are up 21% to $310,696.
Fire protection is up 21% to $285,007.
Planning and development costs are up 31% to $209,570.
Garbage service charge
The service charge for garbage pickup increases by 7.1% to $171.61 for residences, $191.31 for residential and small businesses, and $242.66 for large businesses.
Overall taxes up
For a residential property evaluated at $100,000, without municipal water or sewer, the bill including garbage pickup will be $1027.91, 10.7% more than in 2005. Tax bills over $300 may be paid in three instalments.
The tax on a residential property in Quyon, evaluated at $100,000, will be $1430.32, 4.6% more than in 2005. This includes garbage pickup, water, sewers and lagoon loan repayment ($26.92) The water rate is up 9¢, at $236.34 for residences. The sewer charge drops to $139.15 but there is a new lagoon loan charge linked to evaluation. In Quyon, 314 properties have sewers and 437 properties have municipal water supply.
Lesser matters
Once again the smallest item on the expense side of the budget is $353 for the community centre at Breckenridge fire hall. This compares to $18,527 for the Quyon Beach-barn, and $44,335 for the Luskville community centre.
Projects for 2006
Roads, fire protection, a new drinking water supply for Quyon and the gymnasium at Notre-Dame-de-la-Joie school in Luskville will be major projects in 2006. Money was put aside in 2002 for the water supply and the gymnasium.