There's still work to be done before Bruce County council approves its 2015 budget.
Council sent the budget back to staff, asking for further reductions to be made to the projected tax levy increase, which sits at 4.9 per cent.
CAO Kelley Coulter says staff will propose a freeze on new staff positions, as well as potentially cutting back on tourism advertising for one year, with plans to bring the budget back at committee meetings on December 18.
Arran-Elderslie Mayor Paul Eagleson says he could live with the budget if staff can get the tax increase down to a minimum of 3.9 per cent.
"If [staff] can find $400,000, it should bring it to 3.9%, I would have to live with that. I realize that at 4.9%, we're even going backwards, but it I think it has to be done," says Eagleson.