RED ROCK — Tax season is on the horizon with municipalities across the North evaluating and re-evaluating costs across the board – from service costs to property taxes.
The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) recently assessed the value of Red Rock’s water pollution control plant, sharing a figure with municipal officials that was far higher than expected.
The new water pollution control plant – which broke ground in 2019 before beginning operations in 2022 – was assessed at a value of $1.3 million, which will mean a major increase in taxes for the township.
It was 2018 when the township received combined funding from the federal and provincial government to the tune of $25 million, after years of trying to patch-up their old facility. It did not provide the sewage treatment necessary to meet provincial regulations and was cause for concern among locals and environmental advocates.
The 45-year-old wastewater treatment facility that formerly serviced the community is currently in the process of being delisted and decommissioned.
MPAC assessed the value of that property at $126,000.
Red Rock’s chief administrative officer, Mark Figliomeni, said the jump is certainly palpable when it comes to the assessed $1.3-million value of the new water pollution control plant.
“What we’re seeing is a huge increase in the taxation based on school board taxes on that structure as well as levy to our local service boards,” Figliomeni said.
He clarified what this means is – much like the manner in which school buildings are taxed – the new water treatment facility is taxed based on “assessed value” and that this substantial increase will cost the town of Red Rock around $25,000 more in annual taxes.
While further meetings with MPAC are set to take place, Figliomeni stressed that this valuation represents a “significant change.”
He also said to expect more to come.
“We’ve already seen it through school board remittance, we’ve already seen it through district social services, and we’re expected to see it very shortly from other outside organizations that charge us based on assessed value,” he said.
