Council passes tax and user fee bylaws

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Rainy River Town Council passed its 2008 budget and user fee bylaws at its regular monthly meeting Monday.
Finance Chair Brent Anderson said the overall tax revenue increase is about 5%.
Town Clerk Veldron Vogan said the increases in tax rates were about the same across the board. They were approved as follows:
•Residential/farm class 1.336289%
•Multi-res. class 1.663947%
•Commercial 2.338506%
•Com. Vacant 1.636954%
•Industrial 3.006651%
•Ind. Vac. 1.954323%
•Pipeline 4.061251%
•Farmlands .334072%
Education taxes as follows:
•Res/farm .264%
•Multi-res. .264%
•Com. 1.976921%
•Com. vac. 1.383845%
•Ind. 2.032768%
•Ind. vac. 1.321299%
•Pipeline 2.709124%
•Farmlands .066%
Taxes will be due by July 31, 2008.
As for user fees, most have stayed the same. Camping fees have gone up $5 per night at the park.
Other business
•Council agreed to purchase 100 desk flags for $374.00
•Council agreed to sell two vacant lots on 7th St. for $1,000 plus transfer fees.
•Council authorized Mayor Deb Ewald and Town Clerk Vogan to sign the necessary financial agreement with Transport Canada to receive the funding to close Little St. rail crossing and upgrade Railway Ave.
•Council renewed lease agreements with ComCare at the Rainy River Clinic and the local seniors club that rents the west end of the old railway station.
•Council donated $1,000 to the walleye tournament to aid with ramp upgrades and $200 to help with expenses when the David Thompson Brigade visits later this month.