Leeds and Thousand Islands approves 6.8 per cent tax rate hike

The Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands council has unanimously approved the 2025 operating and capital budgets, introducing changes to property taxes and utility rates for residents.

The 2025 operating budget totals $18.75 million, with a net property tax levy requirement of $12.87 million – a 7.5 per cent increase from 2024.

This results in a 6.8-per-cent rise in the residential tax rate. For a home assessed at $206,000, the increase translates to an additional $71 annually ($5.90 per month).

The approved capital budget is $14.89 million. However, council emphasized that projects relying on grants will require additional approval once grant outcomes are confirmed.

These decisions followed a Dec. 12, special council meeting where members decided how to handle policing costs.

The 2025 water and wastewater operating budgets total $730,500, a six-per-cent increase from 2024. Key drivers include a mandatory financial plan study for 2025 and increased maintenance costs.

The water budget is $376,100 (a six-per-cent increase), and the wastewater budget is $354,400 (also a six-per-cent increase)

For households with a 1.5-inch meter or less, the water base rate is $89.14/month, the water usage is $2.94/m³, the wastewater base rate is $84.16/month. Wastewater usage is $2.48/m³. The combined flat rate is $173.30/month.

For meters two inches or greater, rates also increased by similar percentages. Monthly flat rates include up to 15 m³ of water and wastewater usage.