Ratepayers in Owen Sound can expect a three (3) per cent tax hike this year.
That prediction from Mayor Ruth Lovell Stanners after City Council spent what she described as “an intense and productive” day of budget deliberations Thursday.
She says they did not make a big difference in the bottom line and it looks as if the City tax rate will rise six (6) per cent.
Combine that with the County rate which is targeted at a zero (0) increase — and Owen Sound taxes would rise a total of three (3) per cent.
Council will meet again starting at 9 AM today to see if they can change the bottom line — but Lovell Stanners says there is not a lot of wiggle room.
Lovell Stanners notes 48 per cent of their budget is tied up with police and fire services which is mostly salaries since the service is based on manpower.
And she notes they are also obligated to raises for City employees that are higher than the cost of living.
But Council members are not getting raises this year and Lovell Stanners says they have also decreased the amount of money set aside for conferences.
Lovell Stanners notes the City is also faced with the same increases as homeowners — significant hikes in electricity and fuel costs.
Residents will have a chance to comment on the proposed budget during a public meeting this month but no date has been set.
Then the budget will go to Council for approval sometime next month.