Tax hike — 1.8 per cent — less than Innisfil council predicted

This year’s property tax increase has come in at 1.8 per cent, undercutting the 2.5 per cent ceiling set by the previous council last spring.

The increase means taxes on the average home valued at about $301,000 will increase by about $60 for a total average bill of about $3,375.

The taxes are divided between the Town of Innisfil, South Simcoe Police, the County of Simcoe and the boards of education to create a “blended” tax hike.

Innisfil’s portion — about 42 per cent of the tax pie — actually increased by 2.85 per cent. But that increase was partially offset by a 2.3 per cent decrease in the police budget and a 1.3 per cent reduction for education. Simcoe County’s increase was 1.8 per cent.

One per cent of Innisfil’s 2.85 per cent hike is placed in reserves. The 1 per cent reserve hike was initiated by former mayor Barb Baguley to help replace key infrastructure and become less dependent on OLG revenues from Georgian Downs.

Coun. Stan Daurio said it’s time to revisit the town’s reserve account policy to give hard-pressed residents who live from paycheque-to-paycheque a break.

“Defeating significant annual tax increases should be a high priority,” Daurio said.

Daurio pointed to a survey done by the town’s health committee that shows 14 per cent or respondents sometimes have trouble affording food and 28 per cent sometimes have problems paying bills or affording rent.

“That goes hand-in-hand with what I was hearing at the door during the election,” Daurio said. “They are relying on us to end this cycle of tax increases. This is the year that this council can begin a new chapter by not just saying we tried.”

Coun. Doug Lougheed said he didn’t disagree that annual tax hikes create an accumulated effect over time, but applauded council and staff for passing on a tax hike below the 2.5 per cent ceiling.

“Inflation was around 2.4 per cent (last year) so we made some tough choices to come in with 1.8 per cent,” he said. “It think it’s a commendable job that we’ve done on the blended tax rate.”