COUNTY IN BRIEF: [Final Edition]

Abstract

The Essex Region Conservation Authority didn't increase its 1998 levy but new user fees mean municipalities will pay more anyway, said Tecumseh Deputy Mayor Tom Burton Thursday.

Included in the budget was $406,000 to develop the Chrysler Canada Greenway this year. Donations will cover much of the cost and about $26,500 will come from the sale of ravine land near Mill Creek in Kingsville. The money was added after members complained in November that the draft budget didn't include any funds for developing the 44-km trail from Oldcastle to Ruthven.

Paul Beneteau, Amherstburg treasurer, said the billing was calculated using half the 1997 mill rate. In the past, the mill rate was estimated a few notches lower than the previous year to arrive at an interim billing. Once the mill rate was known, the difference was made up over the last three tax instalments.

New ERCA user fees 'back door' levy hike

The Essex Region Conservation Authority didn't increase its 1998 levy but new user fees mean municipalities will pay more anyway, said Tecumseh Deputy Mayor Tom Burton Thursday.

Municipalities will have to pay cost recovery fees when ERCA staff give advice on development proposals. Burton said the authority used to do that at no extra cost to municipalities.

"It's an increase in the general levy coming through the back door," he told members at a Thursday night authority meeting.

ERCA General Manager Ken Schmidt said the province used to cover half the cost but no longer does so the authority had to start charging for the work. The authority plans to charge $50 to $200 depending on the work but said the money should come from developers not the municipalities.

Burton said either way the municipality will be picking up the cost of the downloading. He said the service should be included in the general levy.

Authority members approved a $703,482 levy Thursday night as part of the $4.6 million budget. The levy didn't increase so local residents will pay about $2 per person to fund the authority, the lowest per capita contribution in the province.

Included in the budget was $406,000 to develop the Chrysler Canada Greenway this year. Donations will cover much of the cost and about $26,500 will come from the sale of ravine land near Mill Creek in Kingsville. The money was added after members complained in November that the draft budget didn't include any funds for developing the 44-km trail from Oldcastle to Ruthven.

Body recovered

COLCHESTER SOUTH

Police in Colchester South are waiting for a coroner's report following the discovery of a body in Colchester Harbour Thursday morning.

"We haven't ruled anything out yet; we're still investigating," said police chief Greg Pigeon.

Investigators identified the body, found floating at 9:30 a.m., as that of a 44-year-old Colchester woman who was last seen at 2 a.m. and reported missing just prior to 6 a.m.

Her name is not being released pending a report by coroner Dr. David Coates of Amherstburg who conducted a post-mortem later that day.

There is very little ice in the harbour at the time.

Pigeon said the body was discovered by a nephew of the missing woman. He said investigating officers are speaking with the family, trying to retrace the woman's last movements.

Tax tally in flux

Amherstburg residents who think they've been hit with a tax increase can breathe a sigh of relief -- for now.

There's been no tax hike, only a difference in the way the interim tax billing was calculated.

Paul Beneteau, Amherstburg treasurer, said the billing was calculated using half the 1997 mill rate. In the past, the mill rate was estimated a few notches lower than the previous year to arrive at an interim billing. Once the mill rate was known, the difference was made up over the last three tax instalments.

"Apparently a few people in town noticed an increase in their interim levy," Beneteau said. "At the end of the day it would be the same."

But don't go on a spending spree yet. Beneteau estimates the real affect on residents' 1998 taxes won't be known until late May.

Windsor and Essex County must first agree on the divvying of downloading costs such as welfare and social housing and the province must finalize the tax rate for schools.

"Until then, we're not in a position to tell people whether their taxes are going up," he said.

Election case delayed

CHATHAM

The election fraud case against Chatham-Kent councillor Allen Ascott has been delayed because his lawyer has been unable to schedule an out-of-town judge to hear it.

Windsor lawyer Doug Scaddan said this week he has been unsuccessful in arranging a trial date with the administrative staff in Chatham because one of the key administrators is ill.

Scaddan said he expects to be able to schedule a trial date in two weeks.

Ascott, 49, is charged with voting twice in the Nov. 10 municipal election in violation of the Municipal Elections Act.

Police allege he voted in an advance poll and on election day.

Ascott's case will return to court Feb. 23. -- Star Staff and News Services