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I i THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, DECEMBER 12,2001 PAGE A9 Clarington, this bill's for you How your property tax bills are calculated nr JACQU1E MclNNES Staff Writer DURHAM - For Clar- ington treasurer Nancy Taylor, the process of setting setting municipal taxes begins in early fall when she pulls out her calculator for months of number crunching crunching and negotiations with other municipal departments. departments. The work won't end until spring, when, with a little luck, the final bills can be mailed out. It all begins with "a memo to department heads"'with guidelines and anticipated uncontrollable costs that need to be factored factored in, explains Ms. Taylor. Taylor. From there, she relates, each department evaluates how much its services were used in the previous year, determines if there's a need to expand in some areas and identifies any requests made by residents for added services, says Ms. Taylor. The job may not be flashy but residents' quality of life and even safety depends on the decisions made by the finance department and council during tbe budget process. Arenas would not exist and the staff to run them wouldn't show up without the paycheque authorized in the budget. We would have no fire trucks or firefighters firefighters to battle our blazes and the snowplow (even if it seems like your street is always last on the list) wouldn't be there to make the streets passable after that all-Canadian blizzard hits town. And of course, many of those streets simply simply wouldn't exist to be plowed. Once the departments have set down the basics of their budget needs, "we add in priority items - new services, services, something that hasn't been required but the public is looking for," says Ms. Taylor. The annual budget process is helped along the way by the five-year forecast. forecast. It's a tool, updated every year to give staff and council a road map of what lies ahead. "We pull out last year's five-year forecast and add items and refine costs," says the treasurer. By this time of year, round one is already over and the departments have submitted their wish list for the next year. Then it's time for the treasurer to compare the list with the revenue expected expected through current tax levels, user fees, development development charges, growth in the community and reserve funds.For 2002, council has given staff a target of a two per cent increase in spending, spending, says Ms Taylor. Once the list of wants and needs is compared to the money available, "we send it back to tbe depart ment heads for chopping," she says. Finally, in late winter the capital budget is brought to council for input and approval approval followed by the operations operations budget in early spring and, the final step, preparing and mailing the lax bills is done. Even if municipal staff and council arc the souls of responsible fiscal management, management, there can still be an increase to the taxpayer, notes Ms. Taylor. The municipal municipal tax levy accounts for only 25 per cent of the bill residents receive. The Regional tax levy accounts for 42 per cent and education education taxes account for another another 33 per cent. Provincial legislation can also affect the property tax rate, she says. That will be the case in 2002. When the municipality and the Region set a tax increase, they cannot pass it on to the industrial properly owners. So any increase must be picked up by the residential taxpayers, she explains. Ironically Clarington, which had the lowest percentage percentage increase in taxes last year within the Region of Durham, will be hit hardest by a rale calculation that determines how much is taken away from industrial industrial properties and added to residents. That calculation is done by the Region and averaged out based on lax increases throughout all of Durham, then must be applied applied in each municipality. So Clarington residential taxpayers will suffer for increases increases made elsewhere in Durham, she says. Once all is said and done, the trick will be to come back with a budget that addresses service needs, factors in uncontrollable uncontrollable costs and inflation and is still, in the end, palatable to the taxpayer. And if taxes have to go up, she says, there better be a good reason. "We take it very seriously to keep (tax) increases to a minimum," says Ms. Taylor. Taylor. "We try to make it very, very justifiable so people can understand and appreciate appreciate why an increase was made," she concludes. What you pay for: Municipal taxes comprise comprise about 25 per cent of the property tax bill Clarington Clarington residents receive. Regional taxes make up 42 per cent while education education taxes directed to the provincial government make up the remaining 33 per cent. The municipal portion is used for a number of services including: Roads and parkland: 36 per cent Recreation and culture: 20 per cent General government: 18 per cent Fire: 9 per cent Environment: 7 per cent Grants: 4 per cent Debt servicing: 2 per cent Planning: 2 per cent GAMBLING PROBLEM? If you or someone you know needs help with a gambling problem, please call the Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-888-230-3505, or in your community: Pinewood Centre Ajax 905-683-5950 Bowmanville 905-697-2746 Oshawa 905-571-3344 Port Perry 905-985-4721 Toll Free 1-888-881-8878 All services are free and confidential OnUilo i'jiliidi (or MiSl'ONSIllLR A M II I. I H ('. In .mociJlton RESPONSIBLE Camming CovNtli «W*» Clarington treasurer Nancy Taylor begins work in the fall on the process of setting municipal municipal taxes. After consultation with depart- ANDREW1WANOWSK1/ Statesman photo ment heads, number crunching ancl consideration consideration by Clarington council, final tax bills are ready to be mailed out sometime in the spring. The Region collects from you, too DURHAM - About 42 per cent of the Clarington residential property tax bill is comprised of a levy that pays for services provided provided by the Region. While sewer and water services services are provided by the Region and make up about one sixth of the annual budget, they are not funded through the water bill, says Jim Clapp, commissioner for the Region of Durham. The other services provided by the Region are funded through the tax levy and in some instances, like roads, they arc partially funded through development development charges imposed on new development. The Regional portion of the tax bill includes: police services (34 per cent), social assistance, social housing and transit (35 per cent), roads (eight per cent), emergency services and health services (11 per cent) and social services including homes for the aged and day care (seven per cent). As well, notes Mr. Clapp, residential taxpayers will likely be charged more on their 2002 tax bill because of provincial regulations prohibiting any increases increases to the industrial property taxpayer. As a result, residential taxpayers must pick up any property tax increase (in 2002 this is expected to be about two to three per cent) that would have been paid by industrial property taxpayers, lie says. The impact of that will be about an extra half of a per cent for residential residential taxpayers, Mr. Clapp estimates. estimates. ! r")1 | o 1 ' I . Tu ! - - : 'V X. X| jYnliii; rib i'f4T i'BH 1.TÏ IT!,ki ! l fi j r | : j ; Hi If -I! on virtually a ! I 2 0 01 and 20 0 2 vahic 2002 PONTIAC SUHFIRE SL COUPE • 5-YEAR/100,000 KH POWERTRAIN WARRANTY • l.l lilrc 115-HP Engine • 5-Speed Getrog Hanual Transmission • 4-Wheel Anti-lock Braking System • PASSLoek [holt Deterrent System • Tachometer • Electric Trunk Release • Heat Spoiler • Dual boni kitbags ; L on 2(5 EEHHEE®! " Wrt, uunts mil*:. . . WHPimcHisimi purnsnmums s 12.788 '! O' 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AH SE SEDAN • Z.2 line DOHC ECOTEC Engine • 4-Speed Automatic transmission with [nhanced traction System • lit Conditioning • AH/FH RDS Stereo CD and 6-Speaker System • 4-Wheel Anti-lack Braking System • 4-Wheel Independent Suspension • Power Boor locks • PASSLoek Ihelt Oeletrenl System • Till-Wheel • And Note 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA RECULAI MHEELIASE 1B5-HP 3.4 Line 3400 V6 Engine • 4-Speed Automatic Transmission • 4-Wheel Anti-lock Broking System • lit Conditioning • Power Locks/Windows/Hirrors • Deep-Tinted Glass • AH/FH Stereo with CO • Dual Sliding Doors • Tilt-Wheel month Sum™ CASH PUHCHASE PRICE PlIBtHASt lIJmilS 258 « *25,448' ® 0 1 ' PIB M0XIHW.6SS 00MN HCIUDES FREIGHT UP 10 48 HOMTHS PIINENI. PIUS fRIIGHI ☆ ☆☆☆☆ FIVE STAR SAFETY RATING. Pontiac Montana has been awarded 5-Stars (the lap safety rating) lor both driver and rear-seat passenger In side-impact testing.' ENEr(j|UIDE nisiii.i (\.Wj 2002IUICK RENIEZYIIS CX • 185-HP 3.4 Litre 3400 SFI VS Engine • Mr Conditioning • Power Locks/Windews/Hirrors • Remote Keyless Entry • Ml-Weothei Traction Control • AH/FH Stereo with CD • Centte Console Storage System • 5-Passenger Sealing • Cruise Control • Bool Hack • Bear Cargo Hot •limits mint tziuzno CISHMCWI Pm OR s 19,688 °\0 FUICHISt lumens o r fix' uTtowum i6 ItOXIH Sfliulim $ 378 s 29,998 0 PURCHASE rims m PER HOMH/Sf.m DOWN PITHENI, PLUS FREIGHI 1090 rtooo *■•••■ 2001 r S 2002 DUiClt CENTURY SPECIAL EDITION • 3.1 lilt; 1/5-IIP H Engine • 4-Speed Aulomolic Transmission with [nhanced Traction System • Dual-Zone Climate Control • 6-Passenger'Sealing • 15" Aluminum Wheels • Appearance Packogr • 6-Way Power Olivet's Seat • AH/FH Stereo CD/Cassette with Sleeting Wheel Comtois • Powot Lacks/Windows • Split- foldinti Reat Seal • Cruise Control • Remote Keyless Entry • 4-Hhiol Anti-lack Oinking System • Ihelt Deterrent System IB roll Stimuli CISI PURCHASI PRICE mthtst twill PONTIAC BUICK GMC s 278 ® >24,998 ® 0 Pi R K0NlH/$313S DOWN [ ICIUDIS FREIGHT PATHIIT. PIUS IREIGHI Pv (T FWi-iiiu TMHinTîiiWlfMiX'inltTTthhivIT'ÇiiTirfjÇijrti I- : (pi E3MC 2002 GHC SIERRA EXTENDED CAD • 270-HP 4.0 Litre Vortec 4000 V8 Engine • 4-Speed Automatic Transmission with Overdrive and Eow/lloul Kode • 4-Wheel Disc and 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Braking System • 40/20/40 Split Front Seat with Custom Cloth Trim ■ Air Conditioning • AH/FH Stereo with CD • Chrome Wheels/Grille/Bumpers • Cocking Differential • Automatic Headlights • Fell Instrumentation including Tachometer. Engine Bout Octet 8 Driver Message Centre • Deep-Tinted Glass iiitiiHSiiiiiiui mcHisi ran purchase rutmiNs $ 358 s 29,868 0 l \%> PER N0N1H/SS 89S DOWN [IClUOtS FREI6HI PIIHINI. PIUS fRIIGHI Ü Ifrrf j,le kv"! Q ÛHLïT/i L r -1 >! \<l\i i .V. !2lb5iini)-<S'i21ÏDjjiv5 Unix -I: - ! i-IV : I'M I'.lh -u ; ; xx! ü 'i xximim: <o 3 E 55 • U For the latest information, visit us at gmcanada.com, drop by your local Pontiac • Bulck • CMC Dealer or call, us at 1-800-GM-DRIVE, VNo purchase necessary. Contest open to Canadian rosidonls only. Contest closes January 13, 2002. Prizes can only bo applied to tho purchaser or loaso of most 2001 and 2002 volilclos puichasod/luasod and delivered buloru January 13,2002. Soo your GM donlor or visit www.gmcnnndn.com or call f-GOO-GM-DRIVE lor full conlost rules. ATosts conducted by tho US National Highway and Traffic Safely Administration (NlUSA) 0 Offer only npplios to loaso of 2002 Sunltto/Grand AM. Gonoral Motors will pay first month's loaso payment (Including PST and GST) plus P.P.S.A. Freight of $799/$IKJO tn included (Sunlito/Orand AM). Olhor Loaso options available. Drive Away loaso olfor docs not apply to purchase linnneo ollor. ♦Quick Contury received tho Dost Buy Award 1990, 1999, 2000. 2001. AUosi hi class. Based on Transport Canada Foot Economy Gatings. 'Ollurs based on Sunliro Coupo SL GZA/Grand AM Sedan SE G7D/Contury Special Edition FT7A/Montnna RWQ H/A/ Mondez vous CX F WO H/A/Sioira Exlundod Cab H7F. Annual cost of borrowing 2 9"o/3.*1°o/2 4°u/2 9°u/5.9%/G 4% por annum (based on a 48/48/4B/4B/3G/3G month term). Annual kilomolro limit of 20,001) km, $0 12 pur excess kilomolro. Option to purchase at loaso end is $!>,9BU/S9.3GQ/$11,3-13/$ 1t,8G9/$19,014/$17.22b plus applicablo taxes. Other loaso options available, Licence, insurance, P.P.S.A. and administration fees not included M'||l might ($<J90/$9/0/$890'$1000 Ciiniuiy Special Edition G 7A/Montana RWQ G7A/Rondo/vous CX FWD 07A/Siorra Extended Cab G7F) liconco, insurnneo. P.P.S.A., administration (eos and taxes not included. Dealers am Imo to set individual prices. Ollurs apply as indicated to new or demonstrator 2002 models of Sunliro Coupo SL G7A/Grand AM Sedan SE R70/Contury Special Edition G 7A/Montana RWQ G7A/nondozvous CX FWD G7A'Sitma Extondvd Cab G7F equipped as described. Oilers apply to qualified retail customers m tho Pontiac Quick GMC Dealer Marketing Association area only (Including Outaouals and excluding Norlhwostoin Onta no). Dunler Hade may be nucussaty. 11 lie SmaiiiLi asi monthly payment and the GMAC purchase finance mlo ate not available with and are not calculated on tho "Cash Purchase Price'" shown. Tho difference between tho pneri lor tho SmaiiiLi am /GMAC Purchase Finance ollor and the 'Cash Purchase" olfor is doomed under provincial disclosure laws to bo a cost of borrowing, whotlior or not tho same represents actual Interest, and Is required to be < xpressotl ns an annual percentage mlq winch is 7.31 o o/3.G6%/2.Gn%/2.03°o (Sunliro Coupe SL G7A/Giand AM Sudan SE HZQ/Cuntury Special Edition G7A/Montaiia GWÜ G7A). (0°o purchase financing on approved GMAC emi lit only lor most 2001 and 2002 vehicles Ollor applies only to vehicles delivered on or lioloru January 13, 2002 0°u financing available up to 3G/48 months. Example $10,000 at 0% APG, the monthly payment is $277.78/$200,33 lor 30/48 months. Cost ol borrowing is $0. Total obligation is $10,000 Down paymonl and/or trado may be requited Monthly payment and cost ol borrowing will vary depending on amount borrowed and down paymont/lrado. VI Oilers apply to Iho purchase ol must 2001 and 2002 new or demonstrator module and applies only to qualified retail customers in Canada. 0°o financing and conlost do not apply to, 2001/2002 Full size vnns-cargo/cutnway, 2032 Sierra Regular and Extended Cab 2900/3900 (non COP). 2002 Storm Crow Cab 2900/3900. and 2002 Sierra 3900 FID Chassis Cabs (Carryovor Stylo). 0°a Financing also does not apply on 2001/2002 GMC Savnna SIT- Yf-1 Conlost also does not apply to 2002 Yukon. 2002 Yukon Denali, 2002 Yukon XL. 2002 Yukon XL Denali I united quantities ol 2001 modulo available Dealer ordor or Undo ol 2002 models may bo required. Dealers aro free to sot individual prices I untied lime ollor which may not lie continued with other otters Certain exceptions apply Sue your local GM doalor(s) lor conditions and details.