Amherstburg town councillors start budget deliberations on Monday with a proposed municipal property tax increase of 7.13 per cent.
That's a $3.2-million increase in the municipal levy and works out to another $190.14 for a home valued at $250,000.
Mayor Michael Prue doubts it'll be that high in the final budget.
"This is my sixth budget, and they've never come in where staff asks," said Prue. "I expect some things may be taken out."
He hopes Amherstburg's increase will ultimately be in the middle of the pack of area municipalities.
"If we can get that down to four or five [per cent], we'll be doing a pretty good job," said Prue.
Council has set aside Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for deliberations and plans to approve the budget on February 12.
The budget is available on the town's website.
The budget calls for a $3.1-million increase in operating expenses and $4.2-million in capital spending.
Higher inflation and insurance costs have been a thorn in the side of municipal councils across Canada. However, Prue said inflation is less of a factor, and insurance, while still high, appears to have plateaued.
That doesn't mean this budget doesn't have its challenges. Salaries are the town's top expense.
"We have a number of unions and other people who are expecting [higher] wages this year, and some of the wages that have been paid in other places, six to eight months ago, were fairly high," said Prue. "I'm hoping we don't have to go that route."
Windsor Police want more to provide service to the town, and new provincial legislation will increase costs.
One of the biggest ticket items in the budget is the Navy Yard Park Extension. The project, approved last October, will cost $3-million.
The operating budget is over $56.2-million. The capital budget came in at $13.3-million.
Last year, councillors approved a 3 per cent increase, the lowest of the region's eight municipalities.
