Lambton County's proposed 2019 budget amounts to $216.5 million and calls for a 2.59 per cent hike in the amount to be raised through taxation.
The draft budget was released in Wyoming Wednesday morning.
When new assessment growth of $748,000 is factored in, the net tax increase is 1.75 per cent.
Finance, Facilities and Court Services General Manager John Innes said they've been cautious, because the impact of the provincial government's plan to cut 15 billion in spending remains unknown.
"To be fair to the province, they came in and identified that they had to reduce funding," said Innes. "They have not come in with a hacksaw and started cutting everything left, right and centre. We're seeing increasing trends that it will be largely status quo for the current year 2019."
He says being careful has served them well in the past.
"When we look at things, we've always tried to not set up expectations or a requirement for funding that's going to cause problems if that funding disappears. When you have two thirds of your funding coming from the province, that's a significant impact."
Warden Bill Weber called it a reasonable budget, that "reflects restraint, while maintaining core programs."
He joked that council could have passed it right away if it didn't have to go through due process.
Capital spending of $20.4 million is proposed for 50 projects, including replacing Bear Creek Bridge, resurfacing various county roads, and reconstructing parts of Bentpath Line, Courtright Line and Northville Road.
It's recommended $6.4 million be directed to reserves to help finance big ticket items that may arise in the future or to help pay for unexpected emergencies.
Only one organization is seeking a grant this year.
The Lambton Children's Safety Village is asking for $250,000 over five years to construct a safety village at the Bridgen Fairgrounds.
Lambton County budget deliberations begin at 9 a.m. March 6 in Wyoming.
