CORNWALL, Ontario – City councillors got their first look at the 2016 municipal budget document Monday, which has a 1.95 per cent tax increase built in for a typical residential property.
That would translate into an additional $45 on an annual bill.
Councillors still have to go through the budget exercise and there’s plenty of time to reduce, or even increase, that number before the document is finalized weeks from now.
But many councillors are pleased with the fact that budget discussions will kick off with one of the lowest estimated levy hikes to start the process in years. In 2015, for example, bean counters presented a budget with a 5.58 per cent levy increase, before council pared it down to 2.4.
“For the initial submission they’ve done a good job,” said Coun. Maurice Dupelle. “But there’s still things we need to look at. But it’s under two per cent and I think people are satisfied.”
Dupelle was asked if there is the potential for a tax freeze this year, given that councillors almost always make some cuts from the initial budget document that is submitted at this time of year.
“There could be, if there’s enough will around the table,” he said. “Council will review everything.
“But there’s different views around the table. There are some councillors who have no problem with a huge tax increase.”
Coun. Elaine MacDonald suggested council should take a wait-and-see approach to the budget before a bunch of back-slapping.
“1.9 per cent seems almost too good to be true,” she said. “What I’m going to look at is what will we get for that?
“What I’m more concerned about is sustaining the programs that people need.”
Last year’s 2.5 per cent increase resulted in an additional $54 on the typical residential bill.
More to come.
