Amherstburg residents could be facing a significant tax hike.
The town held its first preliminary budget session Thursday night, looking into what residents can expect for 2015.
There are different options proposed, starting with a three per cent increase to municipal taxes. There are also two additional options being proposed, which would see a much higher rate for tax payers.
"The numbers are pretty much where I thought they would be," says mayor Aldo DiCarlo.
DiCarlo says at the three per cent option is at the low end of things, but overall they're looking at triple that.
“As a total at 9 per cent. I think that will put at the town in a really good position moving forward,” says DiCarlo.
That's 9.26 per cent to be exact. The additional increase is coming from a capitol replacement levy which would address the infrastructure funding gap and a capitol reserve levy to deal with future long term debt.
"Different municipalities have infrastructure cost,” says DiCarlo. “Depleting infrastructure, et cetera, that you can pay for them today, you can pay for them tomorrow, but you're going to have to pay for them.”
Different cuts were proposed, including a consolidation of the fire department - something several councillors were very vocal on when expressing their concerns about whether service would be reduced.
“They really did do their homework in that respect. And I would say that I would obviously not move forward if something did not meet the safety requirements of the community".
This was the first time all councillors had a chance to see what is being proposed to balance the books. It was the first of several public meetings. Three more will be taking place in March to gain a little more insight from the community.
Deliberations begin in April.
