Belleville city council wrapped up its budget in a one day session at city hall on Tuesday, following cuts from the draft figures that brought down the original tax increase proposals.
It was the 22nd and final budget presented by Director of Finance Brian Cousins, who retires this spring.
This also brought down the original draft tax hikes across the city.
The draft budget amount paid for by municipal taxpayers sat at just over $103 million, but after concerns were raised by council last week, it came back from staff this week at $101.3 million.
Another factor was the Belleville Police Service budget.
It was reduced by using the provincial Cannabis Legalization Implementation Fund grant of $131,000 that the city has received, bringing the original police budget increase from 3.3% down to 2.6%.
Mayor Mitch Panciuk says he’s particularly pleased with some staff additions at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre.
Councillor Paul Carr introduced the motion that saw the senior tax credit increased from $400 to $500 dollars for 2019.
There is an expansion of the transit service to accommodate about 1,700 people who currently want to, but cannot, use the service.
The residential tax increases range from 2.3% to 1.52% depending on where you live.
Following the one day session, Panciuk told a media scrum he wants to see the procedure for setting a budget changed next year, involving a committee process.
Councillor Carr tells Quinte News there needs to be a change in the process.
The residential tax increases are as follows:
Belleville Urban – 2.34%
Cannifton Urban Fire – 2.10%
Cannifton Rural Fire – 1.50%
Rural – 1.52%
