Kincardine Mayor Anne Eadie admits she does not know how low council can get from an initial proposed nine per cent tax hike.
This rate would cost the average residential household an additional $117 in property taxes for the year.
Eadie said she normally likes to see a 3-to-5 per cent hike, but there are unusual circumstances this year.
Council discussed dropping six months of free bag tags for residents but didn't come up with a solution. Treasurer Roxanna Baumann said this would bring $230,000 more into town coffers.
There are a number of items in the loss column next year for Kincardine. The Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund declines by $248,000; the annual DGR hosting payment of $770,000 will not be included as income; and the Bruce Telecom dividend of $600,000 is $200,000 less that this year.
Baumann said without any service level changes, a 12.7 per cent tax rate increase would be required to make up the shortfall.