A draft 2016 budget for West Grey would end up increasing spending by almost 4% thanks to cuts in provincial funding.
The committee of the whole looked at preliminary numbers, which project a 1.5% increase in spending, or about $134,700.
However, the municipality expects the loss in Ontario Municipal Partnership funding to equal about $204,700 after their income stabilization reserve is applied.
That's a 2.4 per cent decrease, and means the draft budget would actually see an increase in spending of almost 4%, or about $339,000.
The draft assumes a 2% increase in policing and library costs, as those two boards have not yet completed their budget estimates.
The Committee of the Whole supported plans to include new online services for rate payers in the 2016 capital budget.
Mayor Kevin Eccles says firefighters may also be looking for a wage increase.
The Saugeen Valley Conservation 2016 Budget package, the Community Safety Village donation request, and the Community Schools Alliance membership were deferred to the next budget meeting for discussion.
