The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2009-01-14, Page 16�. N....-. •.- .4a-'!�• Page 16 The Huron Expositor • January 14, 2009 • News ....../.'a "4-1" ..— ;X Council decision puts an end toy property tax deferrals for farmers' Susan Hundertniark After four years of allowing farmers to defer their property taxes, Huron East is going back to its normal routine of billing four times a year.. While council took the initiative to provide some cash flow relief to the farming community during some difficult times, Deputy -Clerk Brad Knight pointed out that the farm economy has stabilized while the general economic downturn has affected the whole communi- ty. "Farmers are doing better with crop prices but not livestock.. But, the way it is with the economy, we have to treat other people a little better too," agreed McKillop Coun. Bill Siemon. Council had argued about cancel- ling the farm tax deferral program last year, with Deputy -Mayor Bernie MacLellan predicting that 2008 would be one of the worst on record for Ontario industry. Knight said just under $1 mil- lion was left in the farm economy until the fall of 2008 because of "Our own reserve levels have been temporarily reduced by the construction of the new medical building which impacts our ability to defer any taxation sources," he said in his report to council. Because the municipality didn't include a bill for property taxes for farmland during its first two mail - outs of the year, Knight said most farmers took advantage of the de- ferral, since it would have taken extra effort to pay for their farm taxes. the tax deferralprogram, result-: "So, farmers weren't forcing impact in a budget for Huron, their money on you," said Brussels East of $30,000 in lost investment Coun. David Blaney. income.f.: Council debates staff pay raise Susan Huudertmark ,. After approving a staff pay raise of two per cent for 2009, Huron East councillors debated at their.Jan. 6 meeting whether or not they, should be receiving the same increase. Deputy -Mayor Bernie MacLellan said he thought that council had created a policy giving councillors a raise every time full-time employees got a raise but added that council hadn't followed its own policy for. several years. Clerk -Administrator Jack McLachlan said staff had received a two per cent raise in 2007, and 2.5 per cent raise in 2008 and now a two per cent raise in 2009 but reminded council that a recorded vote last April had denied a raise to councillors. "I have a problem with not following our own poli- cy," said MacLellan, adding that council should oth- erwise scrap the policy and go back to voting a raise for council at the end of the four-year term as previ- ous councils have. MacLellan added that council would need more than a six per cent raise to catch up to the staff raises. Brussels Coun. David Blaney said he disagreed with voting a raise for council at the end of the term since anyone who's not running again doesn't care. "I think it should happen when it affects everyone. I do acknowledge we're the worst paid council in the county but we all applied for the job so complaining about it is a little iffy," he said. McKillop Coun. Bill Siemon said he thought basing councillor raises on the raises given to staff is a good idea. "It's a lot simpler to follow the employees. Then, you keep up with the times," he said. McLachlan said administration hasn't found a writ- ten policy tying the councillors' remuneration to staff raises. "Why don't we make it a policy now?" said Blaney. McLachlan said administration would look further for the policy and bring it back to the next council meeting. 1- SEAFORTH OPEN HOUSE Saturday, January 17, 1 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. 26 Franklin St MLS 083520 $249,000 One owner, well maintained bungalow 3 bedrooms 2 baths Finished basement with large rec room, spare room and utility room for possible work shop. 1 1/2 car garage with concrete driveway. This lovely home is close to both elementary schools. It is ready to move in. Servicing Huron/Perth Jack Groothuis Re/Max a -b Reatty Ltd. CeII-519-635-0125 www.jackatremax.com E-Mail-jgroothuis@gofden.net RF/BVI Land Exchange Ltd. Brokerage Independently Owned & Operated Renate Sieber, Broker of Record, 519-531-1 1 i phone: 519-527-1577 fax: 519-527-1585 8 MAIN ST., SEAFORTH RENATE SIEBER Broker of Record 519-357-3332 BE READY FOR SPRING! LOTS FOR SALE! BACKS ONTO GOLF COURSE 84.50 x 196.85 MIs 082781 $57.900. Cali Maureen T PRIME LOCATION P xxo cgs CLOSE TO HOSPITAL & CLINIC Amongst newer type Homes MIs 082795 S +9.900 Call Maureen VICTORIAN CHARM 1 GRACIOUS AND SPACIOUS HOME Double staircase -4 bedrooms MIs 083308 $149.900 Call Maureen SURROUNDED BY NEW HOMES 115. X 155 MIs 081676 $49.900 Call Mat.ireen A LOT TO OFFER 3 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHROOMS Main floor laundry. sunroom MIs 083756 S99.900 Call Ma,.ireen 4 MAUREEN WILDFONG Sales Representative Res 519-527-1113 COUNTRY -LIKE ATMOSPHERE 1.23 Acre lot MIs 080314 S69.900 Call Maureen BRICK BUNGALOW LARGE MATURE LOT Fireplace. Central Air & Vac MIs 083820 S179.900 Call Maureen 1 TWO OF THE BEST HERITAGE BUILDINGS ! uaop/ �.' sir.. `9 .v PURCHASE BOTH SECTIONS OR PURCHASE SEPARATELY Prince Location -Excellent condition with historic value MIs 082152 & 082196 EACH $199,900 Call Maureen for complete details orvww.RemaxLanclExchan • e.ca