There’s anger and confusion over the Town of Virden’s tax levy invoices that went out in the mail to residents two weeks ago.
The invoices charge property owners a special tax between $1,100 and $22,000 to help pay for the new sewage treatment plant. The fee depends on the property’s water meter size.
Many residents went to the Virden Empire-Advance’s Facebook page to ask questions and share feelings.
Some told us they thought they had been billed in error. Others were critical of the Town government for not setting aside money in advance, considering the plant began failing more than six years ago.
“Lack of planning”
Virden resident Caroline Cramer said, “What this tells me is that the TOV (Town of Virden) does not plan appropriately to ensure end of life assets can be funded via multi-year savings.
“The TOV was aware this work was required yet lacked the ability to put away funds for a later date.”
Brodie Hay’s family owns a laundromat in Virden and received an invoice for $8,800.
“I’m so enraged by this. Why was this not planned for?” he wrote. “It’s not unusual for a town to put aside money for such things… instead of the shock of a massive bill due in a month.”
Glen McKinnon was Mayor of Virden in the early ‘80s when the previous wastewater treatment plant came on stream.
He said the council of the day borrowed the money needed for that project and added it to property tax bills over 20 years.
He had concerns about the notion of setting funds aside in advance. “If you did, you’d have objections from elderly taxpayers who may not live long enough to use the asset they’re being asked to contribute to.”
Confusion
There was also confusion over unserviced properties that received bills.
Virden businessman Todd Beltz said he got a bill for over $3,300 for his three properties, none of which uses town water or sewer services. And he isn’t the only one.
Kelsey Mueller commented, “It's my understanding that I will have to pay the tax even though I am not hooked up to water or sewer. They were not interested in discussing it with us at all unfortunately.”
Official policy
When asked to clarify the policy, Mayor Jeff McConnell referred to a public notice the Town sent out in 2014.
That notice says the Local Improvement Plan levy applies to all owners of “taxable properties” in the town that are “currently connected to or having access to the Town of Virden sewage collection system.”
So even if a building isn’t using town water or sewer, he explained, it’s subject to the levy if there’s a water or sewer line running in front of the lot.
The policy also states that empty lots or buildings that are not connected to but “adjacent to or having close access to the sewage collections system and those on sandpoint or sewer only” must pay the minimum charge, which is $1,100.
Some people are calling foul. Nicole Carruthers wrote on Facebook: “These people will have to PAY to hook up to these services and they choose not to use it. Why pay for something you don’t use and never plan on using or want to use?”
Another Virden resident commenting on Facebook, Nicole Angele, questioned what happens when a property owner pays the $1,100 in a lump sum and then buys another property that’s on the payment plan.
Councillor Brock Koop replied they would have to pay the surtax a second time. “If you move to a house that the previous owner decided to put it on the property taxes then yes you would be paying for it again.”
Flip side
Mary Warkentin wonders why people are complaining. She posted:
“In 2015 every residence got a letter in the mail telling people they could file an objection with the municipal board up to 30 days if not happy…. Why didn't people do something about it when they got the first letter?”
Mayor McConnell says people can write to the town to request a review of their billing.
