Farm properties labelled residential in Kincardine
By Liz Dadson

Kincardine Council

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Some residents of Kincardine are going to get a surprise with their next tax bill.

Treasurer Brenda French told council August 12 that the assessment roll has been returned by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) and numerous properties that used to be labelled farmland are now listed as residential, meaning they will be assessed higher taxes.

"We have 50 properties that we know of," she said. "We are bringing this to your attention so you can explain it to the ratepayers."

Councillor Ron Hewitt said this will hit some landowners hard because the municipal taxes on farmland are only 25 per cent of the assessed value of the property, while residential land is taxed at 100 per cent of the assessed value.

French said the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is working with MPAC to complete minutes of settlement for properties that should remain as farmland. "If they consider the landowner is not a bonafide farmer, then the property will be taken out of farmland and deemed residential," she said.

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18/08/2009 10:49 PM

"We can't adjust the taxes," said councillor Kenneth Craig. "What do they do?"

"It's too late to appeal the assessment," said French. "We're getting a lot of calls from the people affected, but there's nothing the municipality can do. The minutes of settlement will be prepared by OMAFRA and MPAC. We're not sure how long it will take to resolve this."