It's crunch time for the Municipality of North Huron when it comes to its 2018 budget.
Council did not pass the budget on Monday, and now has eyes on a looming May 22 deadline, which is when the budget must be passed according to a bylaw.
Council voted to send the Wingham Police Service Board's budget back in order to "find budget efficiencies and cost savings".
This motion passed with a 6-1 vote, with Councillor Trevor Seip as the lone "no". Seip is the chair of the Police Service's Board and says the board has worked tirelessly to get the number to where it currently is.
According to their draft budget, North Huron is slated for an 18.15% spending increase, much of which is tied to the Wingham ward's recent decision to keep their local police service in favour of having the OPP cover the Wingham ward.
Director of Finance Donna White made a budget presentation to council. She noted taxes are high in North Huron because of a wide range of programs, facilities and services that are not enjoyed by communities with a similar population, low taxable assessments, low population, and feels "geography works against us".
