Council points to transit for the main reason rates have gone up
Niagara Falls city councillors have been taking a deluge of phone calls and emails concerning rising taxes.
Councillor Lori Lococo pointed out it's due to transit costs, even though they were told moving transit to the region was not supposed to raise taxes.
The city's Director of Finance Tiffany Clarke gave a rundown for a median household. "The 2022 cost of transit to the taxpayer was $118.50 from the city, and $69 for regional transit, so that's $187. The cost of the 2023 regional transit levy is $273."
Councillor Lococo asked that Niagara Transit Commission do a review of amalgamated services after a year.
Councillor Victor Pietrangelo pointed out it's not just those within the city that are seeing their bill rise. "Our rural residents are getting an increase of 16.6%, on average.... that is massive, because they've never paid a transit levy before."
City staff said not only have they made tough choices to cut taxes, but they'll ask the province for more financial relief.
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