An 18% budget increase at Sun Parlour Home has some county politicians in shock.
Administrator Lynda Monik says most of the $1.4-million hike is wages and training to meet tougher provincial regulations.
She says long term care residents are needing more complex care all the time.
County Treasurer Rob Maisonville says an aging population needs more care and that costs money, adding "the resident that we have in long term care is much older and frailer and it takes an educated staff force to be able to do that."
He says required training can't be ignored any longer.
Upgrades to elevators, sidewalks and the parking lot along with a new nurse call system are also in the 2017 budget.