The Lanark Highlands Ratepayers Association was formed in 2010 after several residents became concerned about the high level of taxation in the Township. In January one resident, after researching comparitive finanical data with other municpalities in Lanark County produced and distributed a flyer ( Circular 1) to all residents in the Township.

The research found:

• Taxes in Lanark Highlands are the highest of the 6 rural municipalities in the county and are $589 or 34% higher than an average home with the same assessment  in the township next door (Drummond/North Elmsley)

• Lanark Highlands is the only municipality in the county that did not reduce the tax rate for the MPAC general increase in assessment resulting in a 14% increase in the township portion of taxes in 2009

• In the past 3 years the township portion of taxes has increased by 33% while the consumer price index increased by only 5.3%

• More than 20% of the Lanark Highland’s budget is spent on governance and administration – nearly half the amount spent on roads. Governance and administration costs have increased by 35% in the past 3 years.

Interested residents were invited to form a taxpayers association and on Feb 11th, 2010 approximately 160 residents gathered at the Civitan hall in Lanark and formed the Lanark Highland's Ratepayers' Association.

Footer