KENILWORTH — Wellington North council is still considering at least doubling last year’s tax increase of two per cent.
The budget was discussed at the Monday afternoon meeting of council in Wellington North.
One suggestion put forward was to raise taxes based on inflation.
“We heard that the tax levy increase really should be considered relation to the rate of inflation for last year which was around 6.8 per cent,” CAO Brooke Lambert said.
Mayor Andy Lennox acknowledged that what council discussed would be difficult for many.
“I recognise that there’s lots of people in our community that a tax increase that’s near the rate of inflation from last year is going to be painful for,” Lennnox said.
“But we do have to address that the costs have gone up for us to deliver the services that we depend on."
Coun. Sherry Burke put forward a smaller increase to taxes, but still an increase.
“I’m not opposed to the tax rate going up. But I would like to see it a little bit less. I’d like to see it around four and a half per cent to five per cent,” Burke said.
The next step is for staff to prepare a more in-depth description of budget options to allow council a better chance at making this budget work at a future meeting.
If council doesn’t come to a decision at the next meeting, then discussions will have to continue.
Jesse Gault is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
