County of Frontenac 2021 budget requisition to appear on City tax bills

The City of Kingston recently received notice from the County of Frontenac confirming its 2021 budget requisition for Fairmount Home and Frontenac Paramedic Services in the amount of $12,751,183.

According to a release from the City, dated Wednesday, Feb 24, 2021, the amount – requisitioned for the City’s share of these services which are managed by the County – represents an overall increase of 7.5 per cent over the 2020 requisition. As per City Council’s direction, the City says this amount will be billed as a separate component on the City’s final property tax bills.

Earlier this month, Council approved the 2021 municipal operating budget, with an overall tax increase of 1.4 per cent for operations and 1 per cent for capital purposes, resulting in an overall increase, including education, of 2.1 per cent for residential taxpayers, the City said in the release.

“Kingston City Council recognizes that many residents are facing financial challenges as a result of the pandemic. That’s why we passed one of the lowest tax increases in 20 years,” says Mayor Paterson. “The City has worked hard to manage our budget despite a significant loss in revenue, and we’re grateful to our partner agencies and boards who also made sacrifices to be able to meet this year’s financial challenges. As a matter of transparency, Kingston City Council does not have input into the amount that the County charges for the services they provide, and for that reason we decided to add it as a distinct line item for taxpayers.”

The City says the addition of the County’s requisition will result in an overall increase, including education, of approximately 2.6 per cent on 2021 residential tax bills which, based on an average assessment value of $328,099, equates to an average household increase of $109, made up of $88 for City services and $21 for the City’s share of services managed by the County of Frontenac.

According to the release, business property owners will see a decrease of up to 8.8 per cent in their 2021 tax bills as a result of the Province’s reduction in business education tax rates.