An almost 9% tax levy increase is now being proposed for Hastings Highlands according to the second reading of the draft budget within the March 20th council meeting agenda.
At a budget meeting on February 28th, staff proposed a 7.74 increase and then a motion was made and carried to add 100, 000 dollars to reserves which was passed by council increasing the levy to 8.95%.
The 8.95% increase would mean that someone with a property assessed at $300,000 (determined by MPAC), can expect a $216 increase to the municipal portion of their tax bill for 2024.
The municipality says it is looking for public input on this draft budget. People can find more of the budget details by going to the Hastings Highlands website and submitting their input under the ‘Have your Say’ Hastings Highlands menu.
They can also comment in person at the next council meeting which is Wednesday March 20th at the Municipal building which is also the library building in Maynooth.Â
In a correspondence with My Bancroft Now, the town pointed out that the Hastings County and education portions of the tax bill are not in their control so they don’t estimate those increases.
The town also pointed out that property assessments are determined by MPAC, not Hastings Highlands.
In a recent council meeting Mayor Tony Fitzgerald acknowledged the councillors efforts in light of what he called tough decisions.
“Council is showing leadership in these difficult decisions we’ve been having to make” Said Fitzgerald, “But I’m very pleased with the way we’ve been working together”
According to the agenda, the draft budget could possibly be passed at the next council meeting on March 20th. Or it could go for a third reading.
