Fort Frances council meeting, Nov. 29, 2022

Another large increase in user fees could be on the horizon.

Fort Frances town council agreed Monday night to use a benchmark of 5.9 per cent in setting rates for the new year.

It is based on October’s Consumer Price Index, less food costs.

Councillor Wendy Brunetta, who offered the compromise, says it is lower than the full inflation rate of 6.5 per cent.

“It’s not a big decrease, but it’s also not that full 1.5 per cent, so that may be a compromise where we could say that that’s a pretty good reflection of the expenses that we face,” says Brunetta.

Some members of council suggested 5 per cent as being the benchmark.

Councillor John McTaggart was among those worried about the impact a higher rate would have on residents.

“The Mayor spoke of those on fixed incomes and seniors, and so on. Families are going to be stretched right now with all of the costs going up. If there’s something we can do to come to less the 6.5, I think it’s going to help,” says McTaggart.

Councillor Mike Behan also suggested delaying the increase of certain user groups already into their seasons so they can adjust for their fees.

Last year, council used a benchmark of 4 per cent as a guide to increasing user fees.

Department heads will now apply this year’s increase to their fees before presenting them back to council for final approval in the near future.

Any increases would take effect on January 1, 2023.