"The price of everything has gone up," said Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara explaining why his town's 2022 budget calls for a 4.25 per cent increase in property taxes.
Town councillors get a first look at the spending plan on Tuesday night, and it could be a predictor for what residents elsewhere in Essex County might expect when their councillors sit down for deliberations.
"We're all in the same boat," said McNamara.
He said the cost of fuel has increased 100 per cent from last year. Pandemic-related supply chain challenges have made construction more expensive. Even paper costs more.
While costs have risen, revenues have fallen. When municipal facilities like Tecumseh Arena closed because of public health restrictions, the town lost that money.
Luckily enough, we've been able to receive monies from the federal and provincial government to soften some of the blow," added McNamara. "But, realistically, it doesn't meet the total requirement."
He calls it the toughest budget council has had to deliberate in years.
"Administration has done a remarkable job in paring down to the point its bare bones," said McNamara, adding, "It's starting at 4.25, but it's not going to end there. We're going to roll up our sleeves and make it more manageable."
As it stands, the increase will cost property taxpayers another $79 a year on a home valued at $250,000.