Residents in Quinte West will see an increase in their tax bills this year, but not as steep as originally proposed.
Council approved a motion to see staff come back to the table with a budget with an increase that falls under two percent.
Director of Finance Caleb DenOuden presented the budget with a 2.82% increase but a few councillors were not happy with the municipality having a $2.3 million surplus at the end of last year.
He said there is a concern about inflation going forward.
“So there is a concern amongst most municipal treasurers about the impact inflation will have on not only the city’s operating budget but also on the capital budgets over 2022 and beyond,” he told councillors.
He said the Consumer Prince Index (CPI) rose 4.8% in 2021, its fastest pace since 1991.
Councillor Sally Freeman made a motion to see this year’s budget increase held under 2%.
“We have to get the taxes down,” she implored. “We didn’t last year when we should have during COVID, but this year there are people in more dire need than they were last year. And this is the same budget amount all over again and we ended up with this huge surplus. I really want this budget to go back.”
She said rents have quadrupled, gas is expected to hit $1.70/L and people choke when they see how much some things cost.
“This is not the year,” she said. “Please be kind to people.”
Council also asked for the one-time reserves for ash borer and gypsy moths and the one-time reserves for 2022 grant commitments be taken off the table for this year’s budget.
Council elected to keep the one percent capital levy increase to help cover the growing costs to cover the aging infrastructure.
Councillor Al Dewitt stressed the importance of keeping the capital levy contribution.
“We have yet to reach benchmark to maintain infrastructure” he said. “It has been under-serviced for many years if not decades and I really think it will be more expensive tomorrow.”
The one percent increase works out to $2.4 million.
This budget does include an increase of $50,000 to the Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation to a total of $200,000, as well as an increase in the low income seniors rebate of $100 up to $500.
The 2022 budget for water and sewer were both received for information by council.
DenOuden did note MPAC has delayed their assessments again and the assessments that were planed for 2020 will now happen in 2023 and will be reflected in the 2024 tax bill. The average assessed home value in Quinte West is $250,000.