By Ruby Pratka

Local Journalism Initiative

Farnham mayor Patrick Melchior presented the municipality’s 2025 budget and infrastructure plan during a brief council meeting on Dec. 9.

“We are proud to present the main points of the 2025 budget of the City of Farnham, the result of rigorous work aimed at reconciling economic development and protection of the purchasing power of citizens,” the mayor said. “We have a balanced budget, as required by law … The 2025 budget represents an increase of 7.17 per cent, or $1.45 million, compared to 2024. These funds will support our services, repay the debt linked to projects completed in 2024 and invest in our infrastructure, thanks to an ambitious three-year [infrastructure] plan.”

He said the new property tax assessment roll which came into effect this year, with an average increase of nearly 50 per cent in the values ​​of taxable properties, has “raised legitimate concerns.” Single-family home residential property values have gone up by 52.2 per cent, multi-unit residential property values by 53 per cent, agricultural property by 46.7 per cent, and serviced vacant property by nearly 60 per cent. Commercial and industrial property values have risen by 29.9 and 52 per cent respectively.

Consequently, the city has reduced tax rates and kept fees for most utilities stable. The residential tax rate has decreased from 70 cents to 47.8 cents per $100 of taxable value, and the multi-unit residential tax rate from 72 cents to 48.8 cents. Non-residential buildings are now taxed at $1.329 (previously $1.660) and industrial buildings at $1.947 (previously $1.331). The only tax rate increase applies to serviced vacant lots, now taxed at 95.6 cents (up from 88.7 cents). Additional fees of 3.43 cents per $100 and 8.59 cents per $100 will respectively go toward paying the town’s MRC and Sûreté du Québec funding obligations. Waste removal and water fees for residences will rise from $45 to $60 and $180 to $200 respectively; other utility fees will be stable. Citizens will no longer have to pay the $45 recycling fee due to a change in the way the service is funded; a new $30 fee for the removal of bulk trash will be put in place. Taxpayers will submit their payments in six instalments.

For an average home, whose value has increased from $243,300 to $369,816, he said the residential tax rate has been reduced from $0.70 to $0.478 per $100, in order to cushion the impact of the increase on residents’ finances, Melchior said.

Farnham was recently cited in a report by the Fondation Rivières as the municipality in the region most vulnerable to sewage overflows, and improving the capacity of the water treatment system is high on the town’s to-do list. “Over the next three years, we have major investments to make in infrastructure to ensure that our town stays healthy,” he said. “We don’t enjoy spending, but…it ensures we will have essentials like water … It’s heartbreaking when you see how astronomical the costs are now, but they are absolutely necessary.” He noted that scaling up the capacity of the town’s water filtration and treatment plant would have cost an estimated $900,000 in 1998, and the current cost of the project is estimated at $14 million. “That’s what happens when you put off needed investments.”

Planned investments in the coming year include studies that will go toward the planning of upgrades to the Éva-Dulude Dam, plans and estimates toward renovations to the fire station and town hall, adding  UV disinfection capability to the water treatment plant and extensive roadwork aimed at allowing upgrades to the water network. The Domaine du Sentier bike path is also slated to be completed this year, and the city intends to replace a fire truck, a garbage truck and a Zamboni. The 2025 portion of the infrastructure plan totals about $15.75 million.

Melchior has previously said he plans to seek a third term in this fall’s election. He was not available to respond to follow-up questions from the BCN. At the council meeting, he invited interested residents and property owners to consult detailed budget documents on the town website or in person at the town hall, and send questions by email to administration@ville.farnham.qc.ca