Departments with the town of Bancroft are facing some deep budget cuts to keep this year’s tax hike to no more than two per cent.
CAO Hazel Lambe says some departments would need to trim their budgets by up to 20 per cent. Council will also have to cut $275,000 earmarked for road repairs.
Interim Treasurer Arthur Smith says a two per cent tax increase would be about $50 a year for the average homeowner.
To keep the same service levels, property owners would need to be saddled with a nearly 14 per cent tax increase. Acting Mayor Paul Jenkins says council wants to keep it to two per cent or less.
CAO Hazel Lambe says council is working to have the 2017 budget ready for a public meeting expected to be held on May 16th.