It took an 8-7 recorded vote, but Prince Edward County Council will support an Association of Municipalities of Ontario resolution to raise the HST by 1%, with the added revenue going towards various infrastructure projects.
If eventually approved, the tax hike could mean an extra $6.5 million a year for infrastructure upgrades in PEC, essentially doubling what council has been spending on roads, bridges, and public transit annually.
North Marysburgh Councillor David Harrison was one of the votes against the idea and proposed a different solution, to lobby for a higher share of the gas tax revenue.
Mayor Robert Quaiff noted that council was only supporting the AMO motion and not able to make any changes to the plan, but councillors could likely submit suggestions to AMO.
Also Tuesday night, council supported a plan to implement fees to inspect buildings that used to house marijuana grow ops, before they could be used for another purpose.
Those fees would start at $355.
