WINDSOR, ONT. -- A Town in Essex could see a significant increase in taxes next year.
The Town of Amherstburg released its draft budget for 2021 and its calling for a 7.55 per cent increase.
That works out to roughly $185 on a home assessed at $250,000.
Mayor Aldo Dicarlo says the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the tax increase but is not the sole reason.
He points to amenities being closed, a relatively low reserve fund, and the town’s behind on infrastructure such as road repairs.
“To say we just don’t want that increase, well where do we cut then right? I guess is the question if we don’t have to have that increase,” Dicarlo said. “But then services will suffer. We will lose amenities and roads and other infrastructure won’t get fixed.”
One resident told CTV News somewhere around a four per cent hike would be more reasonable, while another said they would understand the increase if, “there’s something you know coming down the line that we can benefit from and enjoy because we have beautiful waterfront here, I spend a lot of time here and I would use it.”
DiCarlo says the budget increase includes spending $3.8 million on roads and bridges, plus a $200,000 pilot project for a transit system between the town and Windsor.
Last year, the town was able to taxes down to an increase of just .56 per cent, a decision DiCarlo says is being felt today.
“With Amherstburg having the lowest amount of reserves in the region far too low for a municipality our size we’re going to have to keep playing this game of catch-up.”
A public input session will be held Saturday at the Libro Credit Union Centre.
A Zoom meeting will also be available for those who cannot attend in person.
Budget deliberations are set to being Tuesday, Nov. 17.
