Pelham’s 2017 Residential Taxes Increase by 2.3%

Two months ago, I wrote about how Council approved our 2017 Operating Budget. Since the Province issued the property tax rate for Educational purposes last week, I can now provide you with an update on the total 2017 residential property tax bill.

You will recall that the amount of property tax you pay to the Town of Pelham, to the Region, and to the Province (for Education) is not solely based on the Market Value Assessment of your property; we multiply your assessment by each of these three tax rates and add them up for your total bill.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) – the Provincial body that sets a value your home and property – re-evaluated and assessed all properties in the Province as of January 1, 2016. While this amount will be used as the value of your home in 2017, MPAC phases in any assessment increases evenly over a four-year period.

Despite the recent double-digit home value increases and seller’s market, the MPAC assessment is to represent your property as of January 1, 2016. Further, the Town re-adjusts the tax rate down to compensate for the average overall increase in residential property values across the Town.

Now that the Region draft-approved the property tax rates and ratios and that the Province set their rate this month, we know that the combined property tax increase for an average residential property (valued at $316,400) in Pelham will be 2.3%.

Please note that this 2.3% is what folks term the “pocket-book” increase – the amount it cost an average residential property owner by adjusting for the average MPAC increase.

How do we measure whether that amount is “affordable” or not?

One independent way to judge whether Pelham’s taxes are “affordable” or not, is to compare them with inflation. For example, the Bank of Canada calculates that, over the last 11 years, inflation increased the value of goods and services by 19.7%. Over the same period, Pelham’s combined taxes for the average residential property in Pelham increased by 20.1% -- only 0.4% above inflation.

And, this 20.1% includes the equivalent of approximately 1.1% (in 2016) to fund the Pelham Community Centre. And, it also includes our annual increases for improved infrastructure – approximately 1.7% over the last three years of this 20.1% was for increased sustainability – supporting new roads, pipes, and other capital improvements.

Pelham Council and I continue to direct staff to ensure that we only minimally impact you and other property tax-payers while we increase the level and quality of services in the Town.

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26 June 2017 Update:
With the Region and the Province making some last policy changes and adjustments for rates and tax ratios, we now know that the combined property tax increase for an average residential property (which is valued at $316,400) in Pelham is 2.0%. Because of those changes, that’s actually a 0.3% decrease from what I reported to you above. Please see new chart and comparisons by clicking here.

No Changes to Cherry Ridge Park

A large group of residents attended our Council meeting last week in anticipation of the discussion about a potential agreement with the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) for partial renovation and joint use of Cherry Ridge Park.

The DSBN is in the process of consolidating the former Pelham Centre School (grades 4-8) and E.W .Farr Memorial School (grades K – 3) to create one, grades K – 8 school at the former E.W. Farr site. The consolidation required classroom additions and renovations including a new gymnasium, a learning commons, parking and bus drop off. This construction is well underway and the Board hopes to open the renovated school this September.

With this expansion, the school’s soccer field was eliminated. In order to leave the natural
topography and existing toboggan area of the school property, the Board approached the Town to enter into a community partnership. They proposed building a soccer field partially on school board property and partially on the public park lands.

Councillors considered this possibility in a report to the June 6, 2016 Committee of the Whole meeting and, on June 20, Council approved the authorization of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Town and the DSBN to negotiate an appropriate agreement.

As part of these negotiations, the DSBN proposed a draft redesign for the Park and their lands late last Fall.

At the request from the Town, the Board sent a letter and a survey to immediate neighbours and other Cherry Ridge residents in February. They also surveyed all families of students. As a result, the survey results included comments from both groups making it difficult to determine the comments from the residents of Cherry Ridge.

In March, however, Council received a petition that contained the names and signatures from most Cherry Ridge residents. The document outlined the concerns of neighbours and residents about the soccer field as part of the Park and petitioned Council not to approve the change.

Staff met with and corresponded with DSBN Staff to determine how they would address maintenance, complaints, and abutting neighbour concerns. After much deliberation, Town Staff recommended last week that the Town not proceed with the proposed partnership and the DSBN landscape and construct the soccer field solely on school property.

Applause broke out when Council agreed with the Town Staff recommendation and voted unanimously not to proceed with development of a shared soccer facility at Cherry Ridge Park.

Councillors and I sincerely appreciated the feedback from residents in Cherry Ridge and from across the Town about this issue.

Anchors Aweigh for Ninth Annual Mayor’s Gala

It’s gratifying when people support local charities that improve our community; it’s fun when people get dressed up for a great time. The Annual Mayor’s Gala combines both opportunities!

On Saturday, May 27, 2017, community volunteers will host the Ninth Annual Pelham Mayor’s Gala. This “Sail the Seven Seas” themed gala will “set-sail” from Lookout Point Golf & Country Club at 6:00 PM.

In addition to activities that you might expect on a “swashbuckling” voyage, we will showcase great music, exquisite food, an amazing live auction, and time to mingle and catch-up with other generous “passengers.” No doubt, the event will be a great voyage!

Yet, these festivities have a purpose.

Since 2009 and thanks to the generosity of sponsors, donors, and attendees, the Mayor’s Gala has raised more than $230,000! Proceeds have supported more than 30 not-for-profit community organizations and service clubs that play a vital role in shaping and improving the Town of Pelham. With these funds, the Gala has helped youth and seniors, helped provide special education, supported children and women’s centres, and funded arts, cultural, and sporting initiatives.

The Gala also founded the Pelham Community Fund through the Niagara Community Foundation. Donations toward the fund’s principle may be given from not only the Mayor’s Gala, but also from anyone in the community. As you update your estate plan, for instance, you may want to donate to the Pelham fund – and your gift will assist the community in perpetuity!

The Mayor's Gala Committee is seeking applications from local organizations serving residents of the Town for the proceeds from this year’s Gala. To be eligible, an organization should: provide service/support benefitting residents of Pelham; be registered as a charity with Canada Revenue Agency, a Pelham Service Club or a Pelham based not-for-profit organization; complete and submit a formal application by noon on April 12; and not have received a donation from the Mayor's Gala fundraising campaign in the previous year.

The community generously supports the Pelham Mayor’s Gala. In fact, we are grateful for the many businesses and individuals that continue to support it year-after-year. If you are interested in sponsorship, please check out the website links below.

Finally, a few “boarding passes” are still available and “cabins” are booking quickly. Please call 905-892-2607 ext. 337 to purchase your tickets or see the website for more information.

The Application for Donation Form, sponsorship opportunities, and tickets may be found at www.pelhammayorsgala.ca or via www.pelham.ca.

Our voyage departs on May 27. Anchors aweigh!