Quinte West residents came out in force to Wednesday’s council meeting to take part in a public session about potential increases to the municipal development charges.
Development charges are set to rise over 150% with the costs for a single family home reaching $37,000 compared to the current rate of $15,000.
Development charges are paid by developers to pay for municipal costs associated with new building developments so that existing residents aren’t saddled with the costs. These charges can go towards paying for new transit, police, fire, garbage pick-up, and other required municipal services.
Several members of the public took the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes. Some of the concerns raised include the severity of the increase, and changing the development charges ahead of the planned time period. The current development charges by-law is set to expire in 2026.
Mayor Jim Harrison concluded the public meeting session by thanking residents for offering their opinions and said council would make a decision on a new development charge by-law during the upcoming October meeting of council.
