Councillors in Amherstburg and Essex have sharpened their pencils ahead of budget deliberations, which start on Monday in both municipalities.
Amherstburg started the budget process with a proposed residential property tax increase of eight per cent. In recent weeks, councillors have whittled that down to 2.86 per cent, or another $85.13 a year on a home valued at $250,000.
This year's spending plan aims to keep costs low for residents, so councillors could attempt to lower the residential property tax rate further over meetings on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Capital projects include $50,000 from reserves for the Fire Master Plan, $200,000 for sidewalk replacement, and upgrades at the McLeod Sewage Treatment Plant and the Amherstburg Water Treatment Plant.
Essex, meanwhile, proposes a 3.8 per cent increase in the general municipal levy, or another $132.08 a year for a home valued at $192,000.
Essex town council is holding deliberations on Monday and Tuesday, where councillors can propose amendments to the 2026 budget.
The spending plan includes total spending of $80.4-million, of which $21.5-million is earmarked for capital initiatives.
Those projects include funding to replace Fire Station 3, build a new amphitheatre in Heritage Park, replace the pavilion in Sadler's Park, improvements at the intersection of Maidstone Avenue and Talbot Street, and Iler Road rehabilitation.
