Latest On Mill Assessment And City Finances

The City of Dryden continues to ask for a stay regarding the assessment of the Domtar Mill.
Mayor Craig Nuttall says they have a conference call on Friday with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, but isn’t expecting much to come out of it.
Nuttall has brought forward a motion to Council that they don’t pay $79,000 in fees they owe MPAC right now.
He says the City shouldn’t be paying a dime until a solution can be found.
City Manager Joe van Koeverden says their lawyer feels very strongly that there has been a breach of law and an appeal should be granted.
The Assessment Review Board determined the value of the Dryden mill to be $14-million, well below expectations.
Van Koeverden notes the MPAC figure doesn’t make sense, as Domtar has made significant investments in the facility.
He adds they will be talking with the Domtar mill about a payment plan over a number of years.
The debate wages on as the City continues to bleed red.
Council has been updated on financial projections.
Joe van Koeverden says the city must pay $7.9-million by August, which represents taxes from the Domtar mill and total property and education taxes for the 2009-2012 taxation years.
He notes there’s no way they can pay the money back by that date and is again hopeful for a payment schedule with Domtar.
Van Koeverden says the City Treasurer will also be meeting with the bank.