Three-point-eight per cent.
It’s a figure being thrown out as a starting point for any potential tax rate increase in Fort Frances.
The actual operating budget is still up for discussion, but preliminary numbers put it about $433 thousand higher than 2021.
Treasurer Dawn Galusha notes the town has been running increases that have been well below the inflation rate.
“This has contributed to our infrastructure deficit. In our most recent asset management plan, it was advised that we collect an additional 1.4% in order to reduce the infrastructure deficit,” says Galusha.
Councillors are mixed to where the final figure should be.
Councillor Wendy Brunetta says feels the 3.8 per cent number is about right.
“I realize this still isn’t as high as the CPI (Consumer Price Index), but it is definitely sufficient to meet our needs for the coming year,” says Brunetta.
The inflation rate is currently running at around 5 per cent.
Councillor Mike Behan says reaching that target is unrealistic.
“I’m not sure we could that just absorb 5.2. I think that’s unrealistic, but certainly try and match, maybe again, what the five-year average is and somewhere along that to base inflation on,” says Behan.
Last year’s increase was just over 2 per cent.
More discussion on the operating budget is expected at council next budget meeting.
