Be careful what you wish for — Councillors who hoped the Kincardine budget would be reduced got a wake up call.
Taxes in Kincardine are going up even further than at first thought.
Kincardine councillors, in a special budget session, walked away approving a 12.5 per cent increase in the tax rate.
That’s higher than the 12 per cent increase last time when it was defeated by some councillors who wanted to see a lower rate.
Kincardine treasurer Brenda French says on a average home assessed at $196,500, taxes this year municipally will increase about 100 dollars, rather than the 90 dollars at 12 per cent.
Deputy Mayor Anne Eadie was hoping for a 5 per cent increase although she said she would go as high as 8 per cent.
But it was not to be.
In a recorded vote, Councillors Hewitt; Faubert; Craig; Couture; Leggett and Mayor Larry Kraemer voted in favour of the 12.5 per cent hike suggested by Candy Hewitt.
Deputy Mayor Anne Eadie, along with Councillors Roppel and Coristine voted against.
Hewitt says 12.5 per cent gives the municipality the tools to operate day to day without dipping into reserves — a practice she says has to stop.
Mayor Kraemer says taxpayers want services and programs and the municipality provides the services to the best of its ability but there is a cost that comes with it.
Meanwhile, Councillor Ron Coristine, who also voted against the budget is concerned about throwing good money after bad.
He is going to call for a complete review of the town’s financial and reserve policies to make sure that they are getting the best bang for their buck.
