Sundridge residents hit with nearly seven per cent tax increase

The Village of Sundridge needs $129,870 more this year over 2023 to run the municipality.

That extra revenue translates into a 6.9 per cent increase in taxes for residents.

This means the owner of a single-family home assessed at $161,000 is looking at paying an additional $193.38 on taxes taking their taxation bill to $3,212.81.

For people whose homes are assessed at $374,000, their tax bill rises to $7,463.29 which is a year-over-year increase of $449.20.

Commercial property owners with an assessed value of $117,000 will pay an extra $152.88 for a total tax bill of $3,374.91 while commercial properties assessed at $681,000 face an increase of $889.85 taking their annual taxation to $19,643.73.

Industrial property assessed at $638,000 would see an increase of $879.52, meaning they will pay a total of $19,114.05 in taxes this year.

Although the budget passed, the increase was alarming for elected officials.

“It's concerning,” said Councillor Jim MacLachlan.

MacLachlan said inflation and interest rates have created difficult times for Sundridge.

He said the council has tried to do what's best for the village now and for the future as well as for the residents.

But the large increase has him worried about how future budgets will look if inflation and high interest rates persist.

“Over this term of council, we'll be looking at a 24 to 25 per cent (tax) increase if this is maintained,” MacLachlan said.

“At what point are the increases too much?”

MacLachlan said the municipality may have to get ready to push the provincial government for help, and Deputy Mayor Shawn Jackson agreed.

“If this trend continues, we'll need help from somewhere to maintain the services we have,” Jackson said, adding “these are unprecedented times”.

Councillor Sharon Smith said it's council's job to keep matters fair and level for its residents but added that's been difficult to achieve given “these tough economic times with all expenses going up to operate the community”.

Smith hoped future budget increases would not approach 6.9 per cent saying the number is high.

Smith also said more than half of Sundridge's population is now made up of seniors, and she didn't believe they could bear much more tax increases like the one contained in the 2024 budget.

Mayor Justine Leveque said it may soon be time to push the Ontario Government to examine some areas the municipality is required to fund.

There are five sectors where the village has no control over costs.

These are the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, Parry Sound District EMS, Eastholme Home for the Aged, the District of Parry Sound Social Services Administration Board and the OPP.

These five entities levy Sundridge and the other Almaguin Highlands communities each year for their respective shares to cover the provided services and for Sundridge, this year's total levy is $360,677.

The municipalities have no say in what amount is levied.

For 2024, the village is estimating expenses at $4,223,958 with council, administration, Public Works, Parks and Waste Services accounting for more than half of that amount at $2,353,099.

The village has several major undertakings this year including the William Street and Park Street rehabilitation project which is estimated to cost $605,000.

The village is also looking at $196,833 worth of work at the Sundridge-Strong-Joly Arena which includes replacing the chiller, replacing doors and work on the parking lot.

The village is also replacing the local fire department's pumper truck with the replacement vehicle expected to arrive this year after the tender goes out.

Rocco Frangione, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The North Bay Nugget