After months of debate, Wilmot Township council has reduced a proposed tax hike of more than 50 per cent to 18 per cent.
Public outcry was swift when the original 50.87 per cent figure was released. For the average homeowner, it would have meant an increase of $580 per year on the township’s portion of the tax bill.
Taxpayers told councillors the proposed increase was simply not acceptable.
Meanwhile, council blamed the massive hike on mismanagement in the past.
After three months, council passed the 2025 Operating and Capital Budget on Monday featuring a tax increase of 18.22 per cent. For the average homeowner, that will mean an additional $208 per year.
A release from the township said, “This budget begins to address years of financial decisions that have resulted in low reserves, underfunded operational costs and service gaps.”
“Although it is a tough decision, I will be supporting this budget,” Wilmot Township Mayor Natasha Salonen said during a council meeting on Monday.
“I think that council along with staff have done a very good job going from what the staff draft budget of 50 per cent was to bring it to something that I think is more palatable and attainable for our residents and I think that was also really clear through our residents being really engaged throughout this budget process. So, thank you to everyone in the community as well,” she said.
Some of the highlights in the budget include moving forward with the design phase for a new fire station, no cost-of-living increase for council members in 2025 and investing in a new roof for the St. Agatha Community Centre.
The total 2025 budget comes in at $29,278,441.
