Shelburne approves two per cent tax hike
Monday May 12 2008
By Eric Sparling, Banner staff writer
Residents of Shelburne will experience a two-per cent increase in their municipal taxes in 2008. The balanced budget was approved at the April 28 council meeting. Council anticipates collecting $3,670,954 in taxes this year.
The largest single expenditure category will be policing, which has been budgeted at $1,359,432. Other substantial expenses include administration, roadwork and winter maintenance, sewage and water, garbage collection and parks and recreation.
During the meeting Deputy Mayor Ken Bennington remarked that he thought it was “a good budget.”
“We are indeed going to have a better community,” said Mayor Ed Crewson, to which Coun. A.J. Cavey added, “at a reasonable cost.”
When reached later by phone, Crewson said that the 2008 budget fell within his target of keeping increases at the rate of inflation or below. Last year’s budget had a zero-per cent increase.
Regarding the outstanding dispute with Ontario Clean Water Agency over unanticipated costs for services, Crewson says, “We’re still negotiating that.” If additional cuts can be made to OCWA’s invoice, the tax increase will stand at two per cent and the saved funds will be put in reserve.
Crewson hasn’t heard from individual citizens about the budget, but says, “I think it’s going over reasonably well.”
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