Bluewater Council has approved a 2015 Operating and Capital Budget.
Highlights include a tax levy of 5.6 per cent; $3.2 million in road and bridge upgrades; the establishment of a fleet budget to manage costs and vehicle replacement; the purchase of a pumper-tanker for the Fire Service and re-deploying other apparatus; and increasing the garbage bag tag fees from $2.50 to 3.00.
The biggest impact to the budget is the new OPP funding formula. Bluewater will pay $898,132 for policing this year, compared to $723,047 in 2014.
The budget was approved in principle and will be formally ratified at the March 16th meeting, provided the County and education rates have been finalized.