2001 Property Taxes
Ever wonder what your tax dollars are used for? City staff have defined the services supported by tax dollars and explained how your total taxes are distributed.
What makes up my Property Tax Bill?
Your Property Tax Bill is made up of the following two main components:
- Education Taxes - The tax rate is set by the Province of Ontario and is billed and collected by the municipality. These levies are remitted to your school board.
- Municipal Taxes - The tax rate for your Municipal services is based on council's adoption of the annual budget. The total expenditures relate to a variety of services provided by the City. Revenues from provincial grants, user fees and other sources have been deducted from the total expenditures, resulting in an amount to be raised through municipal taxation.
How are my tax dollars distributed?
The following example is based on a
$150,000 market value property using the total average taxes paid. It is important to remember that Fire and Garbage rates
differ by area within the municipality. As a result averages are used to provide a consistent base for explanation purposes.
Based on a home with an assessed value of $150,000, the average taxpayer would pay $2,446. Of this amount, 23% or $560 represents Education taxes. The remaining 77% or $1,886 is used for Municipal services.
What specifically are my Municipal Tax dollars used for?
The table below breaks down the $1,886 by key Municipal Services. Municipal services are diverse so for ease of explanation, we have simplified the service description. The examples provided are not meant to be all-inclusive. The average tax dollars and percentages expressed in this chart are based on an assessed property value of $150,000.
|
Service |
Avg. |
% |
Description |
|
General Government |
145 |
7% |
Corporate services costs to manage the municipal corporation, such as Council, administration, finance, human resources, information systems, legal and municipal buildings & properties. |
|
Transit |
73 |
4% |
The provision of conventional transit services as well as the financial support to Kingston Access Bus for services to citizens who are mobility impaired. |
|
Solid Waste |
128 |
7% |
Garbage collection and disposal; recycling collection and processing; yard waste composting and household hazardous waste. |
|
Roads & Sidewalks |
235 |
12% |
Maintenance and repairs (resurfacing, grading, general maintenance), street sweeping, winter control (snow and ice clearing and removal), traffic signals, signage and storm sewer maintenance |
|
Social Housing |
100 |
5% |
Subsidised housing |
|
Social Services |
327 |
17% |
Social assistance (Ontario Works and Family Benefits), childcare and all related support programs |
|
Culture & Recreation, Parks & Arenas |
87 |
5% |
Recreational programs, parks and arenas provided by the Municipality |
|
Land Ambulance |
32 |
2% |
Ambulance services within the municipality |
|
Long Term Care |
97 |
5% |
Rideaucrest Home for the Aged and the City's share of Fairmount Home costs |
|
Fire & Rescue |
184 |
10% |
Fire Protection, prevention, education, rescue and emergency response services |
|
Planning & Development |
46 |
2% |
Management of growth, development and the physical form of the city. |
|
Agency Transfers |
67 |
4% |
Financial support for external agencies that provide services such as economic development, public health services, and land conservation |
|
Contributions to Capital Works |
50 |
3% |
Contribution for capital infrastructure |
|
Police |
260 |
14% |
Policing services |
|
Library |
55 |
3% |
Library services |
|
Total |
1886 |
100% |
|
Why is my final tax bill more than my interim bill?
There are three main reasons why your final bill is more than your interim bill:
- Your final tax bill includes garbage, special area and local improvement levies if applicable, that are not included on your interim bill.
- Your final tax bill is based on a more current assessment of your property.
- There has been a municipal tax increase.
How has Provincial Downloading affected my tax bill?
As a result of Local Services Realignment (downloading of certain services from the Provincial level to the Municipal level) the City of Kingston has had net expenditure increases in excess of 4 million dollars in its annual operating budget. The services realigned to the City of Kingston include, Family Benefits, Childcare, Land Ambulance, Social Housing, Public Health and Provincial Offences Administration.
How does Current Value Assessment (CVA) affect my bill?
In 1997, the Ontario Government implemented legislation, which required the assessed values of all properties in the Province to be calculated at the same point in time - June 30, 1996. You saw the impact of this on your 1998 final tax bill. The legislation also requires the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) to update all assessed values on a regular basis. As a result, all values are being updated in 2000 to a June 30, 1999 valuation date, for use in calculating property taxes in 2001 and 2002. The most recent Current Value Assessment was not applied to your 2001 interim bill, however it is used in calculating your final tax bill this year.
How are my tax bills calculated?
Your interim tax bill was calculated based on the following formula: 
Your final tax bill was calculated based on the following formula:
(Please note the additions of garbage special area and local improvement levies) 
Questions or Concerns
If you require additional information please contact our Customer Service Centre at 546-0000. Our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; or contact us by email at tax@city.kingston.on.ca
