Two local borough tax hikes come in above inflation rate
Île-Bizard-Ste-Geneviève Borough Mayor Normand Marinacci says he is not complaining too loudly after the City of Montreal raised borough taxes in the 2018 municipal budget. While many other Montreal boroughs and demerged cities saw tax increases well above the 2.1-percent inflation rate, the borough of Île-Bizard-Ste-Geneviève saw a tax increase of 2.5 per cent. The average Montreal resident taxpayer will see a 3.3-per-cent hike on their 2018 municipal tax bill. Taxpayers in Pierrefonds-Roxboro will see a 3.1-per-cent increase, while Lachine taxpayers are facing a 2.1-per-cent hike. “Île-Bizard-Ste-Geneviève’s (tax rate) is almost at the inflation rate,” Marinacci said. “So in that sense, we’re OK, in a way. We cannot complain.” But Marinacci admitted he was a bit surprised by the tax hikes. “I have some questions to ask for Mr. (Benoit) Doris and the executive committee to see exactly why it’s like that. In my mind, what they decided to do was not increase more than the inflation rate for the general tax rate. But the water services, they wanted to invest more and they did increase the water tax. “For myself and Île-Bizard, I think the citizens won’t be (upset) because it’s equal to the inflation rate.” Marinacci said he has not yet heard much criticism from citizens regarding the City of Montreal budget. “Of course, I look at what’s written in the newspapers and I don’t think we had a good week last week,” he said with a laugh. “Because of the fact it’s not at the inflation rate for everyone.” Although Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante had promised not to raise taxes above the inflation rate, Marinacci said, “In a way, yes, I think we have to reassess what happened and why it happened.” Although he was elected as a member of Projet Montréal in November, Marinacci had no prior knowledge of the tax hikes. “When the budget was deposited, that’s when I learned about the situation,” he said. “We’re in the same party, so we have to have confidence in our leaders and that’s what we’re going to do, but we’re going to ask questions (on) what we can do the future.” Marinacci said he is confident Plante will govern differently than previous Montreal mayor Denis Coderre. “She has to, because I was part of her team and there was an understanding, not particularly on the budget, but there was an understanding that we would decentralize the services. There was an understanding we would protect the green spaces. “Those are the two main reasons I went with Projet Montréal. And I want to be sure that in the future these engagements will be respected. I’m going to work very hard to have some powers that will be given back to boroughs.” Marinacci said he is also hoping that transportation issues will be addressed under Plante’s leadership. Traffic congestion is a major concern for local residents, and Marinacci hopes to see improvements in bus service to Île-Bizard. “During the campaign we had some discussions on public transportation and we want to improve on what we have here on Île-Bizard. Mainly to have more efficient service between the island and some specific points, like Roxboro station and Fairview (shopping centre). And there are a few spots on Île-Bizard we’d like to (be) covered by the STM.” He said Île-Bizard is currently served by a single bus route, the 207. “I understand there is not the population to have the same bus services as in Montreal, but we have a large area (to service).” Pierrefonds-Roxboro Borough Mayor Jim Beis did not return calls from the Montreal Gazette.