Photo supplied by County of Renfrew
A recommendation set to be discussed at the county level has raised concerns in at least one community.
In a recent social media post, Renfrew Town Councillor Jason Legris noted that he was disappointed to hear the county was considering eliminating property taxes for municipalities where certain county-owned properties are located and to learn that Renfrew’s County Representative Peter Emon had brought the matter forward at the committee.
“For the Town of Renfrew, the potential impact is significant—approximately $400,000 annually, representing more than 3% of our municipal tax levy,” said Legris. “Ultimately, that lost revenue would have to be addressed through increased taxation, reduced services, or other budget reductions.”
Emon says the recommendation came about after staff were tasked to report on potential costs savings regarding the Renfrew County Housing Corporation, which provides rent-geared-to-income and affordable rental options to low-income households.
The report from county staff was first brought to Emon at the county’s Corporate Services committee, and it was his job as chair to present the potential motion to their most impacted group, Community Services, for further discussion.
He agrees with Legris that the impact on the municipalities, which he estimates would total $1.9 million in tax revenue gradually eliminated over ten years, is a non-starter.
The Community Services committee will hear the motion this Wednesday, September 16, where it would need 9 of the 17 municipalities to agree to it before it can be brought to county council proper.
In his statement, Legris suggests that the county “get its own financial house in order before looking to download its costs onto the Town of Renfrew and our taxpayers,” adding that he “will advocate at every opportunity to prevent this from happening.”
(written by Kasey Egan)
