Council for the Rural Municipality of Hanover has approved its 2025 financial plan.
Chief Financial Officer Derek Decru says even though the mill rate is not rising this year, most residents will see their taxes go up. That is because it was a reassessment year and Decru says in Hanover the average increase in assessment from 2024 is 20.2 per cent.
According to Decru, most of the local urban districts (LUDs) in Hanover are lowering their mill rate this year. The one exception is Mitchell, where the mill rate remains steady at 5.5. However, in Mitchell, their utility local improvement mill rate of 1.9 is being removed from their taxes.
Decru notes the at-large mill rate is also staying very similar to 2024. It is climbing from 2.809 to 2.851 mills to place more money into reserves.
"One of the deals we're trying to do is to prepare for the regional wastewater facility when it comes online," says Decru, explaining the slight increase in the at-large mill rate. "And we want to make sure that any tax adjustments that come in then are going to be met with minimal impacts; we don't want to see a large increase in 2028 if this were to come to pass."
The result will see Blumenort residents pay on average an additional $162 in taxes this year. In Grunthal, it is an extra $156, in the rural area $128, in New Bothwell $114, and in Kleefeld $74. The average ratepayer in Mitchell will see their taxes drop by $29 this year.
"Rather than just keeping the mill rate steady and taking the additional 20 per cent tax, we really tried to look hard at what we're spending money on this year in the RM and try and balance it out with a reduction that makes sense both to keep taxes as low as possible for the ratepayers but yet allow us to achieve the goals and deliver the level of service that our ratepayers are looking for," explains Decru.
Decru says Hanover's total operational budget in 2025 is about $12.2 million. He notes their capital budget makes up approximately $5.6 million of that total, which is slightly down from 2024.
"One of the big projects we had going on last year was the construction of the daycare facility in Kleefeld," explains Decru. "So that's no longer on the budget for this year, seeing a little bit of a reduction."
Of the $5.6 million capital budget, approximately $1.1 million will go towards roads, including repairs and rebuilds that are needed. Another $1.1 million will go to recreation.
"Some of the big projects we're looking at is going to be the Blumenort community centre, we're looking at a renovation there," he adds. "And we're looking at some rehabilitation of some of our parks in Mitchell and in New Bothwell, which have basically become old and a little bit worn out."
Decru adds about $845,000 is going towards the LUDs to fund numerous construction projects, including sidewalks, drainage, and roads.
Meanwhile, the tax deadline is changing this year. Decru says taxes are due October 15th. He notes in years past, taxes were due October 31st, with penalties taking effect the very next day.
"So, this year we're just going to build a grace period in of a couple of weeks," adds Decru. "Due date is 15th and then penalties will go on November 1st as usual."
Decru says the municipality also offers ratepayers the opportunity to use a pre-authorized payment plan. Through this plan, the municipality takes in approximately $90,000 every month.