A 1.5 per cent tax increase for Russell Township residents

Russell Township residents will see a 1.50 per cent tax increase on their 2018 municipal tax bill. For an average household of $320,617 in assessment, the increase represents about $24.

Apart from a few modifications, Russell Township Council voted in favor of the 1.5 per cent increase projected as presented in the first draft a few weeks ago. The Township will consequently have a total additional taxation levy of $413,912. The portion from additional growth represents $251,912 while $162,000 will be generated from the taxation increase. This has allowed the infrastructure fund to be increased by $24,523, from $1,620,798 to $1,645,321.

Overall, council members were very satisfied with the administration staff’s efforts and the new software used in the preparation of this year’s budget, which was said to have made the process easier.

“This is my twelfth budget, and they haven’t always gone as smooth as this one, said councilor Jamie Laurin. Coming in with a preliminary budget already around with a very good number, being 1.5 per cent, instead of starting off at 4 and having to cut down, made it all easier for us.”

Comments made by other councilors and mayor Pierre Leroux echoed the same view. “It was this council’s last budget, said councilor Amanda Simard. Since the first one, we have learned a lot and improved, so I think the taxpayers can say that our council was rather stable.”

Although the budget does not include an increase to the water and sewer fixed rates, the cost for water consumption will increase by 15 cents per cubic meter. The impact of these rate changes, on an average home consuming 163 cubic meters of water, is a $25.27 increase.

This budget also includes a 1.5 per cent cost of living adjustment to staff and council salaries. During the November 6 session, the updated 2018 user fee bylaw and a new community grants listings, as well as a new salary grid and organizational chart were also approved.

All information pertaining to the 2018 budget, such as capital projects and total amounts are posted on the municipal website at Russell.ca.

—photo Vicky Charbonneau Lors de sa dernière réunion, le lundi 6 novembre dernier, le conseil municipal de Russell adoptait son budget pour l’année 2018, comprenant une hausse de l’imposition foncière de 1,5 %. La municipalité disposera donc d’un montant supplémentaire de 413...