Good news for farm owners, Chatham-Kent council has voted not to raise the farm tax ratio.
Currently, farmers in the area pay 22 per cent of the residential property tax rate, while in other parts of Ontario, they pay 25 per cent.
The original motion had administration recommending a gradual increase, meaning the 22 per cent would go up to 23.5% in 2025, and then to 25 per cent in 2026.
In a revised motion, Ward 5 councillor Carmen McGregor asked that the 22 per cent rate remain until after the MPAC Tax reassessment pause is removed by the provincial government and the updated assessment data could be analyzed. A new report would then be presented to the next term councillors.
“I no longer support the recommendation even though I was the councillor that brought it back in August. And I hope when I conclude that you will agree with my thinking and approve this new motion,” said Councillor Carmen McGregor.
She cited instances in which the municipality was able to save money from rural initiatives, as well as tariffs from the United States as other reasons for maintaining the current rate.
“In my mind we’ve already cut $2.5 million to the services received by rural taxpayers and therefore I ask that you support the new motion to remain at status quo,” she explained.
There were several deputations from local farmers at the start of Monday night’s meeting, voicing opposition to raising the farm tax ratio over the next two years.
The revised motion was well received by the majority of council, except Ward 6 councillor Brock McGregor, who said tax ratios are a discussion that should take place every year.
“I think pigeonholing ourselves into saying we aren’t going to discuss this next April, when we have to and we should every year, I think maybe isn’t the right course,” explained B. McGregor.
“I think it’s fine to say if we don’t want to change it this year, we don’t change it this year, we have the discussion again next year in the economic context, in the investment context, after we see what happens at budget.”
The revised motion passed in a 13 to 3 vote with councillors Brock McGregor, Aaron Hall, and Marjorie Crew voting against it. Two councillors, Alysson Storey and Lauren Anderson were absent.
