Kapuskasing town council recommended a three per cent tax increase during its meeting last night. That represents a $71 increase on someone paying $3,000 in taxes a year. Administrator Guylain Baril says that doesn’t mean everyone’s tax bill is going up by three per cent.
“But overall with new construction in town, and other things going on the municipality will be collecting three per cent more revenue of taxation from residents, businesses and industries,” he said.
Baril says staff had to cover a shortfall of $500,000 in funding which could have meant a tax rate of five per cent.
“We did find close to $150,000 of additional efficiencies so with the three per cent increase tonight what we are left with is 50 or 60 thousand to get from reserves,” he said.
The town is facing almost a $500,000 increase in insurance rates, electricity, natural gas and fuel costs.
