Frequently Asked Questions
How are County tax rates determined?
County tax rates are determined with a combination of the current property value assessment as determined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), the County tax levy (budget estimates) and tax ratios. The County tax levy is the difference between the projected expenditures for all programs and services the County provides and the projected revenues. County Council sets tax ratios each year, and the ratios relate all property classes in terms of residential tax rates. County tax rates must be set by April 30 each year unless the province provides for an extension. For more information about property value assessment, please visit MPAC’s website at www.mpac.ca .
What are the key cost drivers that the County faces?
The County delivers many provincially mandated programs. As a result, the main source of funding for many programs comes from the provincial government, which is out of the hands of the County. Changes in political direction cause much of the fluctuation in revenues for the County.
How are County taxes collected? The local municipalities collect the County taxes through the property tax bill to each property. The amount each municipality must collect is determined through a by-law set by County Council following the determination of the budget estimates and County tax rates. The local municipalities remit these funds to the County on April 15th, July 15th and December 15th of each year. |