Lambton County Council begins its 2016 budget deliberations at 9am Wednesday morning in Wyoming.
The proposed $197-million budget includes a 4.24% increase in the county tax levy.
The proposed net tax increase is 3.34%, after new assessment growth of $617,000 is factored in.
Previous commitments to improving social housing and Lambton College's building campaign make up a large chunk of the budget, at $4.8-million.
$26-million has been allocated for 73 capital projects.
County council faces some tough decisions with a couple of items previously referred to budget. A proposed Lambton County gateway sign on Hwy. 402 would cost $75,000 up front and another $10,000 annually to maintain. An integrated plan for the attraction, settlement and retention of newcomers, costing $125,000, would have a $62,500 impact on the 2016 budget.
Council will also consider two grant requests from the Sarnia Historical Society and Sarnia-Lambton Rebound totalling $327,000.
A second meeting could take place on March 24th if more time is needed for budget deliberations.
