SIOUX LOOKOUT — Sioux Lookout's operating budget, which features a 1.7 tax rate increase, was approved during a meeting earlier this week.
The budget initially proposed would have included a four per cent increase, but in January municipal staff were directed to identify ways to lower that amount to 2.9 per cent.
That included deferring two capital projects, which had a combined estimated cost of about $100,000. Staff were also directed to find alternative revenue for five other capital projects.
Municipal treasurer Carly Collins said an average residential single-family home will see a $122 increase, while a multi-residential dwelling will see a $484 increase. Commercial properties will increase by $156.
Mayor Doug Lawrance is pleased with how the budget worked came together in 2023. He said the high rate of inflation has hindered some capital projects moving forward, but all in all, the reduction in the cost of policing has helped reduce the tax increases in the community.
“I think it’s a remarkably good budget. Especially, when I look around recently northwestern Ontario and beyond. This is an excellent budget rate increase. When you into inflation and you look into budget rate increase, we are into a negative situation because we’re increasing less than the rate of inflation,” said Lawrance.
