Algoma Public Health causes pandemic of swollen taxes

Directors of Algoma Public Health tonight approved a 4.5 percent increase in the levies the health unit charges every municipality in the district.

The levy hike, included in APH's 2016 operating and capital budget, will take a extra loonie in 2016 from the average resident in Algoma's 22 cities, towns, villages and townships.

The health board says the increase is needed to ensure current levels of service are provided throughout Algoma.

Directors approved a balanced budget tonight with spending up 0.79 percent to $13.99 million.

The levy charged to Sault Ste. Marie ratepayers will rise $103,566 to $2.4 million.

This year, the health unit got $187,445 less than it had budgeted for from the province.

The budget passed tonight assumes there will be no increase in provincial funding in 2016.

It includes a 1.73 percent increase in spending on tobacco control, to $433,600.

(PHOTO: Algoma Public Health shows off the resplendent waterfall-graced lobby at its new headquarters on July 28, 2011. Carol Martin/SooToday.)