Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Owen Sound Happy with Budget

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Owen Sound
by Jonathon Jackson    

Grey County's budget with a slight tax decrease this year, is very good news for  Owen Sound.

The city is facing a tax increase of nearly six per cent in its own budget but with no increase coming from the county -- that increase for homeowners is cut in half. 

The County did its part and then some on Tuesday, coming in with a slight tax decrease.

Owen Sound Mayor Ruth Lovell Stanners, one of two city representatives on county council, says it's more than the city had hoped for.

The county's goal was to give a break to municipalities affected by a cut in provincial funding.

Owen Sound is one of those municipalities, slated to lose 400 thousand dollars this year -- which translates to two per cent in this year's budget.

City/County Councillor and Warden Arlene Wright says the county's tax decrease means Owen Sound taxpayers are likely looking at a three percent hike -- maybe a bit less.

The municipal tax bill is divided into three parts - the city's share is 50 per cent with the county and education budgets making up the rest.