It's a 9.2% proposed tax increase for residents in Amherstburg.
The 2015 draft budget was rolled out to council Thursday night. The increase represents about a 3% jump on the municipal rate plus capital replacement and capital reserve levies, each at 3%.
Mayor Aldo DiCarlo says it's a plan to get the town on better financial footing.
"It's the all out, aggressive position in order to rebuild our reserves within five years so that we would be in similar positions to the other municipalities in Essex County," says DiCarlo, adding options for 5% and 10% department budget cuts didn't sit well with him. "There's no way to get those without reductions in services. Speaking solely for myself , I don't like the looks of it. It would be quite a reduction in services for the residents; I don't think they would be keen on it [but] we'll get specific feedback from them on that."
The draft budget also includes money for the Texas Rd. reconstruction project with the $4.4-million base project to be tendered out after the town learned it solidified 26% of the project funds through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund.
"It's not the all-out Taj Mahal Texas Road that the past council was pushing," says DiCarlo. "What we're looking at is a bit of a scaled back version, but with the sidewalks and all the other stuff we need."
The proposed budget increases would mean about another $142 on the property tax bill for the average home in Amherstburg assessed at $174,000.
Three budget town hall meetings are scheduled for March 7, 12 and 28. Click here for more information.