Ratepayers in Mitchell will see their taxes go down this year on the Local Urban District (LUD) portion of their tax bill.
Committee Chair Brad Kehler says for an average residential property assessed at $350,000, residents of the LUD of Mitchell will see a year-over-year decrease of approximately 1.8 per cent. He notes that is about $29 less this year than last year.
Kehler explains there are a couple of reasons for the slight decrease. First of all, he notes one debenture was paid off this past year. And, secondly, Kehler says the LUD of Mitchell committee made a strong effort to keep taxes down. With this being a reassessment year and property values increasing, Kehler says the committee did what it could to prevent residents from thus facing a higher tax bill.
The LUD of Mitchell will be collecting $875,392 this year, up from $698,789 a year ago. The mill rate will remain unchanged at 5.5 mills.
According to Kehler, 2025 will be a relatively quiet year for capital projects. He notes their primary focus will be to add to their reserve, as funds were drawn last year to support phase one of the Centre Street North project.
"We'll continue to save tax dollars to complete phase two in the future," he adds.
Kehler says they plan to expand their active living pathway network this year by completing the asphalt pathway through the Amberfield Park neighbourhood as well as adding three new sidewalks. Those projects include:
Amberfield to Burntwood Asphalt Pathway
Prepare base along existing granular pathway, install 2.0 m wide asphalt pathway, and landscape as required.
Centre Street Asphalt Pathway
Prepare new base along existing boulevard, install 2.0 m wide asphalt pathway from Oakview to Market (most north approach), and landscape as required.
Oakview Sidewalk
Remove existing fill material and install 1.5 m wide concrete sidewalk in boulevard from Elm to Centre Street North.
Birchwood Sidewalk
Remove existing fill material, landscape right of way area, and install new 1.5m concrete sidewalk and base from Birchwood to Co-op parking lot.
Meanwhile, a public meeting was held earlier this month where the LUD of Mitchell committee presented its service plan. Kehler calls it a good, informative meeting, attracting about 38 residents.