City nearly finalizes 2018 budget: includes staff cuts, small tax bump
After weeks of debate, some cuts and additions to the books, the final numbers have been crunched and the city’s 2018 budget is close to being finalized.
The proposed tax increase has been chipped down to 1.5 per cent over the initial 2 per cent ask.
In terms of utilities, the average resident will see roughly $56 added to their bill annually, or $4.66 a month. The average utility surcharge will also jump from $17.50 per month to $18. This is to ensure sufficient funds are available to cover the operating costs for residential waste collection.
“Who is the winner here? The taxpayer is the big winner,” Mayor Greg Dionne told media after the meeting.