The Nation Municipality will collect 9.51 per cent more in property taxes in 2025.

Council adopted the 2025 budget at a special meeting on Monday, December 16. The total amount of taxes collected in 2025 will be $16,345,943, which is $1,404,602 more than in 2024.

The average assessment value of a residential property in The Nation is $300,000. For a property with that value, the property taxes in 2025 will increase by $222.19, or $18.52 per month

During the development of the budget, a series of items and proposals were removed by council. The position of archiving clerk was removed. The proposed increase of $10 to the environmental charge for water and wastewater services was not approved and will remain at $180 per residential property in 2025. Police services, which had been removed from the levy and calculated as a separate charge were put back in part into the levy with a portion remaining as a separate charge. A new scoreboard clock for the sports complex was removed from capital investments, and the municipal contribution to libraries was decreased.

A series of other changes and corrections were also made between the production of the first draft and the presentation of the final draft to council. An increased Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) grant was confirmed by the Ontario government, and there was also an increase in insurance revenue and a decrease in part-time salaries for the fire department. However, the budget, the dedicated fire department charge increased from $85 to $87.50 per property to support the funding of firefighting equipment and vehicles. The Department of Public works made various adjustments based on the re-evaluation of expenses and a road project which had been omitted.

During the past eight years, inflation (as measured by the Consumer Price Index) has increased by approximately 24%, and the cost of construction projects (as measured by the Building Construction Price Index) has risen by more than 50%. However, during the 8-year period, The Nation only increased taxes by a combined total of 12%. As a result, we have fallen behind in keeping up with rising costs.

“Creating this budget required careful consideration and collaboration. Our goal was to address the financial challenges posed by inflation and rising costs, while continuing to deliver essential services and secure the long-term stability of our community,” Mayor Francis Brière said.

For a $2,558.50 annual tax bill in 2025 for a residential property in The Nation valued at $300,000, $1,093.49 will go to public works operations, which includes roads. Recreation operations will use $393.11, and $316.85 will be used for administration and governance. The remainder will be used for policing, fire protection, environmental services, planning, and libraries.