City’s General Committee received a report this morning to extend the stormwater charge subsidy program to eligible low-income seniors, low-income persons with disabilities and working farms. Eligible property owners will receive the subsidy backdated to January 1, 2016. The report will be approved at the upcoming Council meeting on Wednesday, November 9.
“City staff across departments worked carefully to develop these new subsidies that will ensure affordability and accessibility for residents,” said Helen Noehammer, Director Transportation and Infrastructure Planning. “Our goal is to offer the most accurate, fair and efficient way to identify eligible properties.”
Financial assistance to low-income seniors and low-income persons with disabilities will be based on the City’s Tax Rebate Program. Staff will use the existing property tax rebate process and eligibility to automatically identify property owners who will be eligible for the subsidy.
Working Farms or properties that receive the Farm Property Class Tax Rate as determined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) will also receive the subsidy.
Based on the number of properties and addresses currently in receipt of the property tax rebate, the estimated subsidy cost for the low-income subsidy is $107,000 in 2016. The cost for the working farm subsidy is approximately $22,000 in 2016.
Background
Stormwater Charge:
The stormwater charge is a new, dedicated source of funding that was added to the Region of Peel water bill in 2016. The City of Mississauga’s stormwater drainage system protects water quality and lowers the risk of flooding that can damage property and the environment. To keep the system in good working order, the City invests in planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, renewal and by-law enforcement activities. Learn more at stormwatercharge.ca.