FORTUNE N.L.
Non-property owners in the Town of Fortune will see a slight increase in the annual amount they pay to the town council for provided services.
The poll tax is going up to $370 a year, an increase of $20.
The decision was presented during a meeting of council on Monday, Dec. 3, as council approved its municipal budget for 2019.
The budget balances at $1,417,39.01 for revenue and expenses.
The budget for the new year includes several other increases, including: a minimum property tax of $370; $60 for a business permit fee, and $50 for a permit for residential construction and renovations.
And for those who start construction projects without a council permit, the town is introducing a new non-compliance fee of $30.
Pet owners are also targeted with a new fee — $60 if an animal is caught roaming. This fee will help offset the cost of capturing, housing and feeding the animal.
While the town did lower its mill rate for residential property taxes for 2019 — from 8.5 per cent to 7.5 percent — this will not translate to a tax break because property values have increased.
Mayor Charles Penwell explained, “The average property went up 12.5 per cent because of reassessment, so we reduced the assessed value but increased the minimum (property tax).
“So now everybody is paying a little more rather than just the people whose (property) values went up a lot.”
Those adjustments will add $20,000 to the town’s revenues for 2019.
The commercial mill rate remains set at 11 per cent.
Projected revenue and expenses 2019
Property tax (residential) $341,801.75
Property (land minimum) $ 10,996.90
Property (adjustments) $ 6,491.75
Property (commercial) $ 45,140.20
Water/Sewer $253,514.40
Poll tax $ 18,500.00
Business/Quarries $ 45,024.45
Utilities $ 65,000.00
Arena $108,780.00
Grand Bank water $ 48,675.00
GB water maintenance $ 5,625.00
Property Tax (interest) $ 8,000.00
Municipal Operating Grant $149,171.08
Prov. Gas Tax $ 23,884.84
Taxes collected $ 17,448.15
Federal Gas tax $ 70,496.21
Tax Agreement OCI $ 65,000.00
Port Authority $ 10,000.00
BDF Properties tax agreement $ 3,694.23
Hotel Fortune $ 2,723.85
Sanitation/Waste/School waste $112,265.20
Fee’s (rentals, nsf, tax letters, etc) $ 5,401.00
Total $1,417,639.01
Expenses:
Roads and general maintenance $220,223.58
Snow operations $ 62,239.28
Envir. health/water $117,407.13
Animal control $ 246.19
Sanitation waste $112,265.20
Administration $309,471.02
General government $ 28,232.00
Recreation commission $ 7,764.00
Parks and playgrounds $ 6,750.00
Arena $146,944.18
Cultural facilities (Museums) $ 5,784.00
Other grants and subsidies $ 17,448.15
Debit charges (Town) $ 72,928.00
Debit charges interest (Town) $ 30,000.00
Debit charges (Province) $ 23,672.10
Gas Tax (new project 2018-19) $135,370.10
2018 Capital works project $ 6,166.40
Requested Capital Projects
(Bunkerhill) $ 31,323.68
Total expenses $1,417,639.01
