ArturVerkhovetskiy / Depositphotos.com
At a special council meeting on June 16th, Mississippi Mills council voted to apply for funding under the new provincial/federal development charge (DC) reduction program. The program, announced on June 1st, requires municipalities to reduce DCs by 30-50% or more for a minimum of three years in order to qualify for a portion of the $8.8B funds.
Councillors were told by staff that the program is designed to replace lost DC revenue for infrastructure projects and other activities directly related to creating new homes. June 19th is the deadline for applications. They stressed that DCs would only be reduced if applications were successful.
Three projects currently on the books would qualify according to staff; a waste-water treatment plant, Gemmill’s Bay pump station, and municipal wells 9 and 10.
Funding announcements are expected in August. Council committed to a 30% DC reduction for three years only if funding was received and agreements approved by council.
Story by Brian Turner
