Lambton County Council has set a $204.3-million 2017 budget, that calls for a 3.25% increase in the amount to be raised through taxation.
No cuts were made during budget deliberations in Wyoming Thursday morning.
Officials say the net increase in the county portion of the property tax bill is reduced to 2.39% when $600,000 of new assessment growth is factored in.
Warden Bill Weber thanked staff for their hard work putting the financial plan together.
"It was a really good budget," said Weber. "There was a lot of teamwork to put it together by the staff that brought in a very good budget. Kudos to them for putting it together at a reasonable rate."
Enniskillen Township Mayor Kevin Marriott voted against the budget. He believed some cuts could have been made, including $250,000 from winter road maintenance.
"I was very disappointed that county council didn't follow through on my motion to support that," said Marriott. "I would have liked to have seen the budget at the rate of inflation or lower. Even it that is .5% to get down to the rate of inflation. I think the taxpayers deserve it. Their wages aren't going up more than the inflation rate, so we should be able to give them a break when we can."
It's the first time the county budget has topped the $200-million mark.
$20-million is allocated to 59 capital projects this year including rehabilitation of the Bear Creek and Aberarder Creek bridges and building repairs at the Lambton Heritage Museum.
Changes to the county council chambers to improve accessibility are also planned.
County council tabled a grant request from Sarnia-Lambton Rebound for six months. Rebound had asked asked for $164,000 to enhance the existing service delivery of The Hub in support of transitional aged youth in Lambton County.
