North Huron council officially adopted its 2017 budget Monday night.
Director of Finance Donna White presented the final document, which includes a 3.61% overall spending increase, or approximately $170,000 for this year.
Total budget costs exceed $18-million, with the largest expenses relating to wages and benefits, which represents over 30% of the total budget.
Council has over $5-million to spend on capital ventures; just over half of which is being used for Phase 2 of the Blyth Memorial Hall renovation project.
According to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, the average single family residential home in North Huron is assessed at approximately $176,000, up from $173,000 in 2015.
There were 135 North Huron property sales in 2016, which is up from 125 in 2015. This includes 81 property sales in Wingham.
White says low population and a wide range of facilities for a municipality of this size is why residents are seeing higher taxes. North Huron also has low taxable assessment and low overall assessment on older homes. She also says a number of duplicate programs, such as having two fire stations and two libraries, contributes to a higher tax rate.
Tax Increases: Wingham: 2.57% Blyth: 3.3% East Wawanosh: 1.96%
Total Budget Expenses: $18,445,569
Raised from taxation: $4,891,640
Capital Projects: $5,820,987
Total Debt owing at end of 2016: Approximately $2,061,000
Notable Capital Projects: -Humidity Invasion problem at Sports Complex in Wingham: $97,255 -Pool Renovation: $426,697 -Town Hall H-Vac and Upstairs Theatre Renovations: $78,348 -Tar-and-Chip Program, which will provide concrete roadways between County Road #4 and Currie Line: $105,000 -Arthur Street: $227,500 (Part of Industrial Land Strategy) -New Plow Truck: $270,000 -New Back-hoe and Loader: $120,000 -Street Light LED Replacement Program: $540,000 (Hope to fund internally through water and sewer rate reserves)
