Farmers across Chatham-Kent may soon be paying more in taxes.
When CK council meets on Monday, members will discuss increasing the farm tax class ratio.
Currently, farmers pay 22 per cent of the residential property rate. The municipality's administration is recommending an increase in the ratio to 23.5 per cent this year and 25 per cent in 2026.
CK's ratio has been set at 22 per cent since 2004.
During the province's last two property assessment cycles in 2012 and 2016, the value of the average farm property increased much more than the average residential home. Since this meant farmers would be paying more in taxes, a decision was made not to increase the ratio.
However, the municipality's administration states residential values are now outpacing farm values, which means residential property owners are slated to pay more in taxes. Since a proper property assessment hasn't happened since 2016, this can't be 100 per cent confirmed.
Just over 100 people took part in a survey conducted by the municipality in late October and early November. Two-thirds claimed to make a living in the agriculture sector.
Around 75 per cent of respondents said they were against an increase.
Some of them left comments which included "farmers are taxed enough" and "you are reducing their income if you raise the tax." There were comments left by respondents who were in favour of the increase, such as "everybody who lives in Chatham-Kent should pay their fair share of taxation."
Council's Monday meeting gets underway at 6 p.m.