Don Regier, McLennan mayor.

Taxes in the Town of McLennan are going up for 2008. “It’s due in large part to an increase in the overall assessment in town for 2008,” says Tammy Chavis, chief administrative officer for the municipality. “Over the last several years we have been able to decrease the mill rate. This year, however, due to the economy and increased expenses we are forced to increase the mill rate slightly.” That hike, on paper, breaks down to a new residential mill rate of 25.7 (up from 25) in addition to the commercial mill rate, which rises from 33 to 35. The school foundation fund basic levy for non-residential (commercial) rises from 4.8687 to 7.5374 while the levy for residential and farm was trimmed from 3.6986 to 1.6977. The school tax collection allowance, meanwhile, goes down from a tax rate of .1297 to .0925, while the Heart River seniors’ foundation tax rate drops from.1582 to .1288. The 2007 school foundation fund requisition for non-residential property came in at $53,375.10 with the level for residential and farm property being $43,042.55. The school collection allowance and Heart River Seniors’ Foundation requisitions, meanwhile, are established at $3,000 and $4,177 respectively. Estimated expenditures by the town for municipal purposes for 2008 just over the one million dollar plateau at $1,581,315 (an increase from the 2007 amount of approximately $1,341,251 million) with revenue pegged at $657,541. That leaves a remaining balance of $906,415 to be made up through taxation compared to $671,123 last year. “The increase in expenses is largely attributed to an increase in fuel costs, utilities, and an increase in costs to operate our water treatment plant,” Chavis points out. McLennan Mayor Don Regier, meanwhile, says efforts have and will continue to be made to control expenditures, adding that the municipality needs to continue to support development to broaden our tax base to increase revenue potentials. “We are continuing to pursue opportunities to develop the town without increasing taxes. In the long term, we need to promote more business and residential opportunities without relying directly on taxpayer dollars,” he explains. “This will take a concerned effort by our community to recognize and act upon opportunities and initiatives such as the McLennan Tourism Authority which will help to promote future development,” the mayor added. One of the things municipal officials are focusing on is accessing grant funding to replace and maintain the municipality’s aging infrastructure. Regier acknowledges the importance of obtaining grant funding, noting “they are essential in helping to stabilize budget revenue.” One added expense which residents and business owners can expect to see for the upcoming fiscal year is a rise in utility rates for water, sewer, solid waste disposal and recycling. Fees are going up by an estimated five per cent effective July 1 of this year. Utility costs are based on cost recovery, other basic costs, such as fuel, continue to rise. The Town of McLennan is distributing municipal tax notices by mail this week to all taxpayers. All taxes, with the exception of those accounted for through the municipality’s monthly payment plan, must be paid in fully by June 30, 2008, to avoid a late penalty fee. The deadline for assessment appeals to the Town of McLennan is 30 days from the mail outdate specified on tax notices.