Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo look to finalize budgets
Posted Jan 19, 2015 02:30:12 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Local governments are getting closer to finalizing their 2015 operating and capital budgets.
In Waterloo, residents can expect at least a 1.5 per cent tax hike this year as well as a 5.4 per cent jump in utility rates. This works out to about 65 dollars for the average home-owner.
City Finance Chair Jeff Henry tells 570 News councillors will be meeting tonight to discuss the utility system.
“We are doing a significant amount of work in rehabilitating the system over the next several years.”
Under the current budget, the city empties out its storm water ponds once every 245 years.The forecast budget will allow the city to do this once every 10 years.
Business plans for the City of Waterloo divisions will be presented to council throughout the month of January with the budget expected to be approved February 9.
The City of Kitchener is looking at a proposed tax hike of 2.25 per cent and a water and sanitary rate increase of 9.9 per cent. When approved, the average home owner is looking at an additional $125. Final budget approval is expected on Feb. 23.
Cambridge residents can expect a tax hike of about 2.7 per cent, resulting in a $32.67 tax bump. That’s in addition to the proposed regional tax levy increase and water and sewer increases.
Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig tells 570 News residents won’t see any major cuts but that the increase is necessary to maintain quality services.
“These increases are necessary to keep up with the quality and to maintain the service levels people appreciate and desire.”
Cambridge is expected to finalize its budget on Feb. 2.
The Region of Waterloo is expected to pass its budget on March 4.
