Services

Drainage Parcel Tax

Council has approved a new drainage parcel tax beginning in the 2026 tax year to support the long-term maintenance and renewal of the Town’s drainage system.

The Town’s drainage system manages rainwater, protects properties from flooding, and supports creeks and natural areas.

A parcel tax is being used because all properties contribute to stormwater runoff regardless of location, making it a fair and consistent way to share the cost of long-term infrastructure. It also aligns with how water and sewer services are funded and is in line with industry best practices.

The tax has been set at $105 per property, regardless of size or property type.

Why this is being introduced

Stormwater services are essential but often less visible than other utilities. Their long-term sustainability depends on a funding model that can recover costs in a way that is stable, predictable, and reasonable across different property types.

Right now, the Town’s drainage system does not have a dedicated funding source. This means that funding is inconsistent and often relies on grants and general taxation which does not clearly reflect the importance of this service or provide enough to plan ahead.

What happens next

  • A Notice of Parcel Tax Roll will be sent to property owners in April with details about the tax.
  • A Parcel Tax Roll (the list of properties being taxed) will be available for public review at the Municipal Hall during business hours, commencing on April 20, 2026.
  • A Parcel Tax Review Panel will provide an opportunity to raise concerns about errors in the roll (such as property details). If you wish to make a complaint, a written submission must be received by 4 pm on Friday, May 1, 2026.
  • The charge will appear on the annual property tax notice mailed in late May.

FAQs

Drainage refers to the stormwater (rain and melted snow) that flows off of your property into the Town’s roads, ditches, sewers and creeks.

The infrastructure needed for this includes things like:

  • Storm drains and pipes
  • Ditches and culverts
  • Ponds and natural areas that absorb water

The money collected from this charge will go towards the Town’s drainage program to fund the long-term infrastructure replacement, ongoing maintenance, and operations.

Property owners are able to make a complaint to the parcel tax roll only with respect to their own property and only for the following reasons:

  • error or omission of the name or address on the roll;
  • error or omission respecting the inclusion of parcel;
  • error or omission respecting the taxable area or taxable frontage of a parcel;
  • an exemption had been improperly allowed or disallowed.

In order for a request to be considered by the panel, it must be made in writing and received at the Municipal Hall at least 48 hours prior to the sitting of the parcel tax roll review panel.