Residents of Niagara-on-the-Lake are facing a significant tax increase this year. The town has approved an 8.25% tax increase for 2023, which will impact property owners across the municipality. For an average property assessed at $546,000, this means an increase of $100.83 on the annual tax bill.
Residents face an 8.25% tax hike in 2023, adding $100.83 to the average NOTL property bill.
The town portion of the total tax bill will now be $1,746 for the average property. It should be emphasized that this represents only 25% of the total tax bill residents receive. The remaining portions go toward regional services and school board funding.
Property taxes in NOTL are calculated based on Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) assessments from 2016. The town sets tax rates by dividing its budget needs by the total property assessments. Different rates apply to various property types, with residential properties being the most common.
The town’s levy-supported budget is approximately $39 million, with $18 million coming from property taxes. This is part of a concerning regional trend, as Niagara Regional Council has delivered cumulative increases of 24.2% over the past three years. The rest comes from other revenue sources. These funds cover essential services including local roads, bridges, parks, recreation facilities, fire services, and by-law enforcement.
Other components of the tax bill include regional services such as public health, housing, and police, as well as funding for local school boards and the Niagara Transit levy. All these parts are calculated similarly to the town’s portion and then combined to form the total tax bill.
The budget process for the upcoming 2025 budget began on October 10, 2024. As of November 26, 2024, no final decisions have been made. The process includes reviewing the Capital Budget Report and workshops with staff and councillors.
Residents who want to learn more about the budget can attend upcoming public meetings. Detailed information is available on the town’s website. Those with questions can contact staff through email at [email protected] or by calling 905-468-3266.
The town welcomes community feedback and questions about the budget and tax increases.
For updates on local governance and community engagement opportunities, visit Marketplace Niagara.
