Taxes in Rainy River set to rise by five percent

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Rainy River town councillor and Finance Chairman Brent Anderson announced that property taxes will go up about 5% this year.
Anderson noted that while taxes will be going up council has opted not to increase any of its user fees this year, "Specifically water and sewer will not go up this year. They will be unchanged."
Councillor Gerry Marchuk asked Anderson what the increase would mean to homeowners.
Town Clerk Veldron Vogan said that on a $20,000 assessment taxes would rise about $16.00 per year and on an $81,000 assessment they would rise about $61.00 per year.
Anderson said that the town's 2008 budget is about 99.99% ready for passage. Council will be calling a public meeting in the near future to approve it and then issue final tax bills for the year.
Fire Dept. Needs
Rainy River Fire Chief Stewart McNally made a presentation to council updating them on the needs of the dept.
At recent training in Barwick, most of the local department's equipment was assessed. It was determined that most of the helmets used by them are out of date, all gloves need to be replaced, one pipe pole needs replacement, four suits need replacement.
The helmets cost about $170 each (about a dozen are needed).
The gloves are about $60 per pair.
The pole is about $138.
The suits range from $1,100 to $1,500 depending on quality ordered.

Other business
•A dentist from Kenora has expressed interest in coming to Rainy River.
•Council approved a contract with local resident Val Leininger to operate the park marina and camp grounds this summer beginning June 1st.
•Council approved ordering 5,000 new town brochures from the Fort Frances Times at a cost of $3,500 plus taxes.