If you live in the Town of Essex, your property taxes are going up an average of 3.91 per cent.
The town council has approved its budget for 2023, in principle. It will receive formal approval on March 20.
The increase works out to another $117 a year, or just over $10 a month, for the average household.
With $68-million in anticipated revenues, grants, and long-term debt, the town plans to spend $13-million on capital projects and upgrading infrastructure. That includes $6-million to fix roads.
Councillors restricted how many new projects it signed off on to keep the tax rate low, but the list includes a new playset at Stanton Park and money to rebuild the parking lot at Harrow Arena.
"The 2023 budget reflects the approach required to achieve our strategic priorities while strengthening the town's financial condition," said Mayor Sherry Bondy. "Given the impact of external factors such as high inflation and increased utility costs, the team has made significant efforts to balance additional costs in order to maintain our current level of service."
The operating budget covers the town's daily expenses, like wages, facility operating costs, and fees.
