Saugeen Shores Council spent Wednesday looking at the proposed 2024 budget.
A staff report started off with a bottom line 3.7 per cent tax increase which they say would be an $81 increase on the average assessed home for council to consider and discuss.
That base rate is almost entirely to account for inflation.
Staff have given council options that could increase that basic rate, or not depending on council’s priorities.
Estimates show it could be a 71 million dollar budget with 19 million coming from taxes.
A report to council says this budget is based on a ten-year asset management plan.
Staff say in their report the it includes important community projects like the aquatic and wellness centre, expanding and maintaining town’s water and wastewater system, and building projects to protect natural heritage. Those could include an urban tree canopy plan, parks master plan, an update to the Natural Heritage Master Plan, and the implementation of the FoodCycler program.
A chart presented by staff shows Saugeen Shores to be in what they consider a low tax range in Grey Bruce alongside South Bruce Peninsula and Hanover. Mid range communities according to the chart include Chatsworth and Kincardine. Owen Sound is listed as high.
The all-day meeting will pick back up next week.