Essex town councillors have passed their 2016 budget in principal, and it calls for a lot more capital spending.
The capital budget is increasing from $9-million last year, to $14-million. That will cover $4.2-million in flooding mitigation projects in the urban Wards 1 and 4 and the reconstruction of Erie St. in Harrow.
Director of Corporate Services and Town Treasurer Donna Hunter says the town had to dip deeper into its landfill compensation reserve to cover the increase.
"We used to take 50% for roads projects. We're now going to be bringing in 80%," she says.
Hunter says the increase is for one time only.
Wards 1 and 4 will pay an overall municipal increase of 1.51% which includes another 28.9% for the urban portion. It means another $51 on the tax bill for residents living in town with a home valued at $165,000.
In Wards 2 and 3, residents also face a 1.51% increase, including a 35% increase in the rural portion of the levy. Those residents will pay another $31 for a home valued at $165,000.
Mayor Ron McDermott had said he hoped to bring in an increase of less than 2%.
The hike doesn't include the county or education portion of the levy and town councillors expect to pass the budget formally at their next meeting.