The County of Lambton's 2016 draft budget amounts to $197.5-million and calls for a 4.24% increase in the amount to be raised through taxation. New assessment growth of $617,000 brings the net tax increase to 3.34%. The proposed budget is impacted by a $15-million reduction in municipal grants from the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund and a total commitment of $4.8-million for social housing and Lambton College's building campaign. $26-million is allocated for 73 capital projects in 2016 including repaving parts of Bentpath Line, Churchill Line and Oil Heritage Rd. It's recommended $5.7-million be directed to reserves to help finance big ticket items like road maintenance and social housing. Warden Bev MacDougall says she's pleased with the numbers and believes councillors will tread lightly because of pressures on their own municipal budgets. Council will hear from two organizations seeking grants at its March 2 meeting, including a $6,000 request from the Sarnia Historical Society and a $321,000 request from Sarnia-Lambton Rebound for a youth multi-service hub. Budget deliberations begin at 9am March 16, and will continue on March 24 if required.
