The City of Sarnia's 2017 draft budget amounts to $135.9-million and calls for a property tax increase of nearly 5%.
The draft, unveiled at city hall Friday morning, calls for a total of $73.7-million to be raised through taxation, an increase of about 4.8%. General operating expenditures total more than $71-million while police costs amount to more than $25-million.
Prior to city council making any cuts, the budget represents an increase of $41 per $100,000 of residential assessment on the municipal portion of the property tax bill.
The 2017 draft capital budget totals $37-million, largely funded through reserves, and does not include any new debt but it does not address the city's $235-million infrastructure backlog.
City council's budget deliberations are set for December 6.
A $0.25 increase in Sarnia Transit's adult cash fare is also recommended in 2017. City council will consider raising the rate to $3.
- With Files From Melanie Irwin
