Taxes up and down in RM of Morris

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This article was published 30/04/2020 (1907 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The RM of Morris approved its 2020 financial plan on the morning of April 28.

Mill rates for residential, commercial and farm land vary, and different areas have different mill rates.

On residential property assessed at $250,000, municipal taxes are decreasing anywhere from $32 at the Lowe Farm rural area to $74 in Sperling.

Commercial property valued at $250,000 could see lower taxes ranging from $72 at the Lowe Farm rural area to $129 in Sperling.

Farm land valued at $707,000 will have increased taxes. The reassessment increase for such farm land is about 14.85 percent.

Municipal taxes on farm land assessed at $707,000 in Lowe Farm would increase by $113, while municipal taxes on such farm land at Sperling would see a $20 increase.

According to a slide CAO Larry Driedger presented, tax bills for farm land assessed at $707,000, including municipal and education taxes, could be $4,194 in Sperling to $5,575 at Lowe Farm. Increases for the former would be $184, while latter increases would be $307 versus last year.

Reassessments are conducted every two years to ensure assessments are close to market values, according to a slide presented by Driedger. 2020 is a reassessment year.

The provincial average increase in assessment was equal to seven percent compared to 2018. The RM’s increase was 12.5 percent.

“In the RM of Morris, basically any properties under the 12.5 percent assessment increase will probably have a decrease in taxes, while those in excess of that will see an increase,” Driedger said.

Residential assessment makes up 23 percent of the RM’s tax base, while farm land makes up 69 percent.

In a tax bill breakdown Driedger presented, 43 percent of taxes are municipal, while 57 percent are for education.

Driedger also mentioned some capital projects.

In 2020, gravel application will increase on road 31N between roads 1W and 11W, and on road 27N between road 1E and PR 422.

Driedger said the RM has 240 miles of gravel, and plans to apply 42,000 tonnes this year.