Big tax hike for Sarnians

Property owners will fork out more in taxes next year, thanks to a 4.6% increase approved this week by city council. The tax hike is the largest in recent memory and will mean an additional $40.

Property owners will fork out more in taxes next year, thanks to a 4.6% increase approved this week by city council.

The tax hike is the largest in recent memory and will mean an additional $40.14 paid on every $100,000 worth of residential property assessment, city staff say.

Councillors did trim about $1.5 million in proposed spending from the $133-million draft budget, but no significant reductions in city services are expected.

The total tax bill, including Lambton County and education taxes, has not yet been determined.

The biggest cut of the pie goes to police and fire services, which account for 31% and 25% of city spending respectively.

The $22-million Sarnia Police budget was approved without change.

More than $13 million of capital projects also got the go-ahead, including $3.5 million to continue the remediation of Centennial Park.