Village Tax Increase Below 2%

Point Edward Council has set a $4.1-million budget for 2016 that raises taxes by 1.45%. The municipal portion of the property tax bill on a village home assessed at $110,000 will increase by $10 to $671. Mayor Larry MacKenzie says the budget represents a fair plan for spending for the coming year. "We will be moving forward with many capital projects while maintaining prudent operating expenditures to ensure that the village moves forward in a progressive manner," says Mackenzie. Capital spending of about $2.3-million includes major projects such as a new condenser for the chilling system at the arena and reserves for a fire truck, dump truck, a proposed splash pad and new roof at the OPP detachment. The capital budget is funded from casino revenue, senior government and reserves. Finance Chair Larry Gordon commends department managers and staff for producing fair and manageable budgets for 2016. "Both the capital and operating financial documents should provide reliable spending blueprints for the year ahead and beyond," says Gordon. Final tax bills that blend changes made to both the county and education levies will be mailed in early June with installment due dates of July 4 and October 3, 2016.