Arran-Elderslie council is supporting the most recent draft of the 2023 budget.
While it still needs to be officially passed at a future meeting, the budget includes a 6 per cent tax rate increase. That works out to roughly an additional $81 dollars on annual tax bill of the average home assessed at $170,521.
The budget required an increase of about $458,000 to be raised through taxes.
Top expenses, according to a report from Treasurer Tracey Neifer are policing, transportation (roads, sidewalks, plows, regional transit) and recreation services.
In order to acheive a balanced budget, a number of small projects were deferred until 2024, including work on the docks in Paisley, floor replacement at the Tara arena, and a $15,000 auto extrication tool for the fire department was removed from the budget.
Highlights this year include a new sweeper truck, some road work, work on sidewalks in Paisley, Chesley and Tara, as well as site preparation for a new Paisley Fire Hall on Bruce Road 3 on the south end of town.
CAO Sylvia Kirkwood says $2 million is the estimated fire station project cost, but allows, that amount could change when the construction tender process occurs in 2024.
