The City of Sarnia's draft budget for 2021 calls for an increase of about 2.4 per cent in municipal property taxes.
The city released its budget highlights Friday.
Acting City Treasurer Holly Reynolds said overall, the proposed budget amounts to $156.2 million with $82.6 million to be raised through taxation.
"We're looking at an increase of 2.39 per cent on the general levy, 2.45 per cent on transit and a combined 3.57 per cent on water and sewer rates," said Reynolds.
Prior to any cuts, the tax hike would increase the city portion of the tax bill by about $21 per $100,000 of residential assessment.
"Driving the general levy increase, the Sarnia Police Services Board has approved the police budget, we're continuing on with our asset management funding, so we've embedded an additional two per cent in the 2021 budget on top of the 2020 budget."
She adds that COVID-19 funding has been transferred to 2021 from project reserves to offset pressures on the tax levy.
An aggressive and expansive capital program with projects totaling $61.3 million is proposed. Projects span all city departments and include replacement of the Colborne Road fire station, and the largest amount of road resurfacing in the city’s history.
Budget day at city hall is December 1.
Full draft budget details can be found here.
-With files from Melanie Irwin