Amherstburg Town Council accepted most of its 2019 budget as presented, although it did whittle a property tax increase down to 1.82 per cent.
Originally, the document called for an increase of 2.65 per cent.
#Amherstburg's #2019 operating and capital budget deliberations have concluded...Municipal levy has changed from 2.65% to 1.82%
— Town of Amherstburg (@Aburg_TownHall) February 13, 2019
With the education and county levies added it, residents can expect to pay slightly less at 1.45 per cent. The increase works out to another $78 a year for a home assessed at $250,000.
Councillors achieved the reduction mostly by cutting proposed positions. An impassioned plea from Councillor Don McArthur did not sway the rest of council to hire a communications manager. The parks department will get two new full-time general labourers instead of three. Hours for a part-time firefighter were trimmed and some training requests were denied.
About $14.5-million out of the $40-million budget will be spent on roads and other infrastructure projects this year.
Councillors spent a day and a half deliberating their spending document for the year to come, but it still needs final approval.
Lakeshore is expected to approve a 1.5 per cent increase for its residents at its next meeting Tuesday night.