Wellington County council won’t be looking into area rating in an effort to equalize dollars spent on services across the county.
A motion by Erin Mayor Lou Maieron to have county staff prepare a report regarding the feasibility of area-rated county services was defeated, with only Maieron and fellow Erin representative Ward 9 councillor Ken Chapman voting in favour.
The Sept. 25 motion recommended switching to area rating “as there are different usage rates and service levels provided to county residents,” for some services.
Maieron said there is an “exodus” underway in Erin as “we have many for-sale signs in town because taxes are high in relation to services we receive.
“We don’t have sewer services. We need to pave most of our roads,” said Maieron, who pointed out there are taxpayers in Erin paying $11,000 in property taxes receiving the same services as people paying $4,000 in northern portions of the county.
“The question is not what you pay, it’s the services you receive in return,” he stated. “My taxpayers feel like they’re not getting their fair share.”
Maieron pointed out, “The division of votes in this chamber is not representative of population or assessment.”
Although the motion called for an investigation of area rating, Maieron said he wasn’t insisting that is the only way to “get a little bit of fairness coming back.
“If there is a better way to do it, amend it, but I think we’ve got to find a way to provide services on an equitable, effective and economical basis.”
Chapman, a former Erin resident who now lives in Centre Wellington, said he’s noticed a difference in service levels between the two municipalities.
“I see what I get in Centre Wellington,” said Chapman. “Now I’m allowed 24 hours to have a heart attack and in Erin I had to phone and see if they would be there.”
Ward 2 councillor John Green said council “can talk all we want about services,” but land prices and assessment are not within the county’s control. Green noted his municipality, Mapleton, includes some of Ontario’s “finest agricultural land” and prices have gone from $5,000 an acre to $15,000 in 10 years.
“Those people look at it as an investment,” he said. “People are paying these taxes in Erin because they choose to pay them. The people that pay the taxes they pay in Minto pay them because they choose to live in Harriston.”
Mapleton Mayor Bruce Whale said if the same principal was applied at the lower tier, local municipalities would have to charge a lower tax rate in corners of the township that are further from the fire hall.
Whale suggested Maieron consider what it would cost for Erin to provide services on its own.
“If we think we can do it better locally, then perhaps that should be an option, to opt out,” Whale stated.
However, he added, “We don’t want to start area rating. I think it’s a ridiculous idea to be discussing. We’re a county, not a lower tier municipality.”
Whale said he could not support having staff spend time breaking down area ratings for various services.
“We are a community together. We need to work together economically,” agreed Ward 7 councillor Don McKay.
Warden Chris White said area rating of services would set the county on “an increasingly slippery slope.
“This is a county that works very well. It’s based on democracy and it’s based on a committee system,” stated White.
“The County of Wellington is one of the best places in the world to live and work,” added White, who suggested Maieron take up his assessment-related issues with the provincial government.
“If you think you can go over to Halton Region and find things any different I think you would be surprised.”
“My notice of motion wasn’t to leave the county, it was about area rating,” said Maieron. “What I was trying to say was how can we provide services with some equity?”
