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Jeff Green | Dec 08, 2005

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County draft budget calls for 13% increase

by Jeff Green

The four township mayors who constitute the Council for the County of Frontenac received an eight page preliminary draft budget from County staff at a special meeting last week.

The draft budget calls for an increase in excess of $1 million to be paid by Frontenac County taxpayers - an increase of 12.99% over last year’s budget, which was 10% higher than the year before.

The mayors reportedly greeted the budget proposal in a muted way, as the detailed reports in specific line items in the budget were not yet available. The budget will be looked at again in December, and will ultimately be finalised early next year.

Last year the preliminary budget presented by staff contained a 20% increase in the requisition from taxpayers, but the final budget was whittled down to a shade under 10%. But in order to accomplish that, the County had to dip into its reserve funds.

County budget increases next year are less likely to result in tax rate increases for taxpayers than they did in 2005, because the total value of property in Frontenac County has been increased this year through property reassessment. Last year the County tax rate for residential ratepayers edged above $330 for every $100,000 of property assessment.

Frontenac County Council will meet again on December 14.