Sarnia council has set a $156 million 2021 budget that raises taxes by two per cent.
That's $18.70 more per $100,000 of residential assessment, not including county and education taxes.
Council set the tax rate Tuesday morning and decided to use COVID-19 relief funding and an increase from the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund to reduce the tax levy by over $300,000.
Mayor Mike Bradley asked council to proceed with caution when deliberations started.
"This has been an extremely unusual year," said Bradley. "I believe we need to batten down the hatches and keep unnecessary spending off the table and I have talked to the CAO, if there is a need in the spring, because the economy is going to be the issue as we emerge into next year, to have another budget session. In March or April, we'll canvas council and then bring you together."
With the pandemic having significantly impacted finances this year, council tried to hold off on any new spending.
The status quo is being maintained for sidewalk snow clearing, and a number of sidewalks will be declared closed for the winter.
There was $50,000 allocated for an environmental study for the dredging of Cow Creek, and $360,000 was approved to continue operations at Chris Hadfield Airport in 2021.
Councillor Brian White said investing in the airport was critical.
"It's a very fragile situation," said White. "That doesn't mean I'm showing sympathy to one person over another, I just think that as a community, we need to be aware this expense right now, is an investment in our economic development for a more profitable future."
The development of an outdoor ice rink was rejected. Councillor Terry Burrell said he felt the proposal was premature.
"I think this is really something that should come from the community and should not be led by the city," said Burrell. "If there's a community group out there, or group of groups, that wish to go forward with something like this, they can come forward with a plan, and some ideas in terms of fundraising."
Councillor Nathan Colquhoun said he'd rather focus on developing an indoor sports complex.
Developing a disk golf course in a city park was also rejected and recycling bins will no longer be sold at city hall to free up staff time.
Council approved $350,000 for demolition of Germain Arena, and agreed to hire one additional firefighter and two additional staff in corporate services. . An aggressive and expansive capital program with projects totalling $61.3 million was approved.
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.
The Sarnia Lambton Taskforce on Healthcare Work Recruitment was awarded an $80,000 grant and $8,200 was approved for Heaven's Wildlife Rescue Rehabilitation and Education Centre.
At the close of deliberations, Mayor Bradley congratulated council and staff for their hard work in what has been a difficult year.
"This coming week will be my 35th year on council and I always used to joke when people said, 'what's the budget like?,' it's the toughest budget," said Bradley. "Every year it's the toughest budget, but I can truly say that this year. Because of all the factors in the city, country, and around the world, and yet, we got through this and have kept investing in the community and moving it forward, but at the same time, understanding reasonable restraint."