Tache plans tax increase

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This article was published 15/04/2015 (3297 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Taxpayers throughout the RM of Tache can expect an increase in their tax bills this year if council passes its proposed budget. Those details will be presented to the public at a meeting Tuesday evening in council chambers in Lorette.

The rural area will see an increase of .2 mills bringing the rate to almost 6.4 while Landmark’s rate will rise a quarter of a mill to 8.75. Lorette will also see a quarter mill increase bringing the rate to 9.25.

“The cost of living goes up and we need increases just for a status quo budget,” said Mayor Robert Rivard. “We are also adding a few services.”

Most of the increase in the rural area will be used for equipment, such as a new grader, Rivard noted. A lagoon expansion is planned for Lorette with hopes of starting that project this year. In Landmark, money is being set aside for a future water project. Rivard hopes that project can also begin this year. He said the start date will be dependent on the participation of other levels of government.

“And municipality-wide, we are looking at hiring an engineer/supervisor for water waste and landfills. With all of the provincial regulations, it’s too much for our people to handle. There’s so much technical knowledge needed that we feel we need a specialist in that position.”

The operating budget proposed for this year is $8.3 million. That is a $900,000 increase from last year.

Council plans to give first reading to the budget following the public presentation on Tuesday.