Fort Frances ratepayers will face a 3.72% tax increase.
Town council gave formal approval to the operating budget on Monday night.
The increase amounts to an extra $114 to the average homeowner’s tax bill for the year.
Mayor Andrew Hallikas says much of the increase is attributed to costs the town has no control over.
“Our OPP budget is up about 11%. The DSSAB (District of Rainy River Services Board) budget is up. The Northwestern Health Unit budget impact is up. We have no control over that,” says Hallikas.
“We have to pay that. So we have to raise taxes to account for that.”
Hallikas says the town is mandated to set aside money toward an asset management plan.
He says the increase in expenses the town controls is very slight.
While councillors were accepting of the budget, some did express concern.
Councillor John McTaggart worries about those now struggling to pay.
“If you look at the amount of interest and penalties on taxes, it’s a significant amount,” says McTaggart.
“And that’s people not being able to pay their taxes. We need to keep that in mind when we’re looking at our budget because people are struggling in our community, and that needs to be a very key indicator of where we’re at.”
Administration is predicting there may be a $60,000 surplus from 2025, although the final numbers have yet to be audited.
Previous surpluses have been directed to reserves.
Existing resources sit at about $10 million, but Administration notes the numbers have been declining in recent years because of major projects they have funded.
