Chatham-Kent council has decided not raise the current Farm Tax class ratio, at least for now.
The Farm Tax Ratio has sat at 22 percent in Chatham-Kent since 2004. At that time there was a rise in farm assessments and farmers were experiencing low commodity prices.
However, since then the commodity market has rebounded and residential prices have risen sharply, outpacing farm prices over the past five years. That could result in more of a tax burden for residential taxpayers in the future once the province’s next property assessment cycle takes place.
Chatham-Kent’s top two farm groups, the Kent Federation of Agriculture and the Christian Farmers Federation of Chatham-Kent, were strongly against raising the Farm Class Tax ratio.
Councillor Mary Clare Latimer said she was strongly opposed to having the municipality increase the tax burden for local farmers.
“I think it’s a travesty that administration is recommending we yield yet another tax blow to the farming community, who are the major and most impactful economic driver within our community,” Latimer said.
Many councillors didn’t want to make a decision due to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) postponing their 2020 provincial property reassessment, which could have a potential impact on the Farm Tax Class. A motion to postpone the decision on the Farm Tax Ratio until a MPAC reassessment could be completed, failed.
“We need better information and more information,” said Wallaceburg councillor Carmen McGregor, noting that more public engagement is needed as well as a future MPAC reassessment should happen before council made a decision.
