"Council and I are thrilled to deliver a budget below the rate of inflation while continuing to invest in our services and our community," said Lakeshore Mayor Sherry Bondy after councillors approved a budget with a 1.76 per cent property tax rate increase.
Councillors went through the draft budget line by line and passed several resolutions to save costs and lower the rate from 4 per cent.
It was Lakeshore's first budget under Ontario's Strong Mayor legislation, a bill that gives mayors ten days to veto changes to the document. However, Bondy has indicated she doesn't intend to use her authority to veto revisions.
"The steps taken by council represent the voices of residents throughout Lakeshore's communities, and I am confident that the updated budget represents their collective desire to keep more money in the pockets of our taxpayers," said Bondy.
In the coming weeks, Lakeshore will update its digital budget application.
