The tax increase in Meaford will be lower than expected.
Council passed the 2010 budget last night.
Treasurer David Kennedy says the average tax hike is now set at 3.5 per cent (3.18 per cent in urban Meaford, 3.95 in Sydenham, and 3.95 in St. Vincent).
That will mean about 300 dollars to the average homeowner with property assessed at 206 thousand dollars.
The tax increase in the draft budget presented at public meetings last month was 4.67 per cent.
Kennedy says they’ve been able to find some major savings, including 80 thousand dollars in salaries and 20 thousand from a reduction in the provincial education rate.
While council approved the 2010 budget last night – they also passed a resolution to transfer the funds to pay off the municipality’s 3 million dollar deficit.
And another big announcement was made when Kennedy said a deputy treasurer has been hired.
Michael Humble – who currently works for the Municipality of Guelph – starts May 3rd.
Kennedy says the position has been vacant since last December and Meaford will see a big improvement now in financial reporting and the operation of the finance department.
Kennedy himself was only officially hired in January after volunteering as Treasurer since November 2008.
Meaford Mayor Francis Richardson says these accomplishments – filling positions in the finance department, eliminating the deficit, and having a tax increase well under 5 per cent – show Meaford has come a long way.