There is a BIG budget meeting in Meaford tonight.
Council will learn from Staff what services the municipality can provide if the blended tax increase is five per cent.
That would include the municipal, County and education rate.
Mayor Francis Richardson wants to keep the tax hike at five per cent to make it reasonable for ratepayers.
Richardson feels that will also allow them to replenish reserves and save money for big capital projects that must be completed.
The document tonight will tell Council what services can continue and how many staff are needed with a five per cent blended tax rate.
It might mean staff layoffs — but Richardson doesn’t want to talk about that.
Richardson says their staff are hard workers and the most important resource in Meaford, and services won’t matter without staff.
Council did direct staff to keep the library budget at 2007 levels before it was cut last year.
Meaford ratepayers did see an 11 and a half per cent tax increase last year.
Richardson projects a five per cent tax increase will be the norm for the next 3 to 4 years so they can get out of their financial hole.
After that, Richardson hopes to keep the tax increase at the inflation rate.
He adds Council needs to make a long term plan and not react year to year.