Howick Township taxpayers will see their municipal rates increase by 6.9% this year once county and education tax rates are factored in. In fact, the township increased their tax levy by 20% from last year.
The township approved its budget on Tuesday, which saw a decrease in funding for the majority of departments after the municipality was hit with a lack of provincial funding.
A spokesperson for the Concerned Ratepayers of Howick says his group is disappointed with the budget approved by Howick Township council last night.
Kevin Armstrong says his concern is still the municipal portion.
He says his group presented several options for reducing costs including adjusting staffing at the arena to be more efficient, reducing grants to various charitable organizations, reducing administrative costs. and bringing the cost of building in line with neighbouring municipalities.
Armstrong says some were done, but not enough.
He is convinced Howick Township will be looking at the same problem next year.
Reeve Art Versteeg says ratepayers in his jurisdiction will continue to pay less than the average taxpayer in Huron County.
"We had a big increase this year. A lot of people got involved and got interested and some upset," Versteeg tells CKNX News. "In the end, I think we passed a good budget that will get us on-track for this year and future years."
Vertseeg says the municipality is looking at performing a formal service level review for all of the services they offers.
The 6.9% increase equates to another $146 per household compared to last year.
Total taxation in Howick will increase by 10% with the new budget.
-With Files from Marty Thompson