During another number-crunch meeting, Amherstburg Council managed to reduce the proposed budget by just over 50%.
Council managed to bring the proposed tax increase down to 1.25%, but that doesn't include levies.
Mayor Aldo DiCarlo says there is some concern over cutting too much out of the budget. "Like any budget, the costs are what they are. With every savings we find, I guess time will tell as to how that is going to affect our services in the long run," says DiCarlo. "There were some questions raised about some of the funds that were turned down, how that might affect still complying with the results of the Deloitte report."
DiCarlo says not having an approved budget nearly halfway through the year has some consequences. "Definitely some things have been put on hold based on what's going to happen with the budget," says DiCarlo. "Going forward the biggest thing that is being delayed is the ability to start getting through policies and many of the other things that still need to be addressed in the Deloitte report."
The next budget deliberation session is scheduled for Monday at 5pm.
