Meaford council wants treasurer Darcy Chapman to bring them a draft budget with a lower tax increase ceiling than the one he suggested in his latest budget report.
In his report, Chapman recommended that council prepare a draft budget for 2015 that include an overall tax increase not to exceed the October consumer price index of 2.8 per cent.
Council wants Chapman to reduce the maximum tax increase to 2.4 per cent.
Councillor Mike Poetker said earlier councils had tried a zero-based budget but found problems. "Previous councils who went this budget route deprived Meaford of funds needed to make necessary repairs to roads, sewer lines and other infrastructure. By the time it became necessary to make these repairs, the cost of doing so had increased greatly," explained Poetker.