Small tax hike for small town

Baie d’Urfé adopted its $15 million 2009 budget last week and it comes with a small tax hike for homeowners.

The estimated average Baie d’Urfé home, valued at $422,646 in 2009, will have a property tax bill of $3,268, an increase of $76 from this year’s average home’s tax bill.

The 2009 mill rate is set $0.8292 per $100 of valuation.

Baie d’Urfé homeowners also have to pay $80 for potable water (for the first 50,000 gallons) plus $3.25 for each additional 1,000 gallons, said city clerk Nathalie Hadida. The town buys its water from Pointe Claire.

In 2009, Baie d’Urfé homeowners, as well as those in other reconstituted municipalities, will only receive one tax bill as their taxes for the Montreal agglomeration, which runs regional service such as police and fire protection plus public transit, will be included in their local tax bill. Some cities will separate or indicate the local and agglomeration portions on the same bill, Baie d’Urfé hasn’t decided yet, said town councillor Janet Ryan, adding the 2009 tax bills will be sent out in late January.

Ryan said 31 per cent of Baie d’Urfé property taxes in 2009 are for regional services (agglomeration), up from 28 per cent this year. “Our taxes are the lowest on the island of Montreal,” Ryan said. “We’re a smaller community. We rely heavily on volunteers (such as for the library).”

While other cities offer indoor pools or arenas, Baie d’Urfé, with a population of 3,902 (2006 Census), offers residents a small town atmosphere near a major urban centre. “We don’t hear from our residents (about more services like pools), people recognize what we have here, low taxes — and a lower level of services offered.”

Although, she mentioned they do offer perks line free bus passes for seniors, but their financial situation is considered to be eligible.