Kitchener councillors won’t start talking about the city’s 2015 budget until January – but the city’s first pass at a budget is already available for perusal.
Budget documents made public Wednesday show a proposed tax increase of 2.25 per cent.
A staff report terms the increase “affordable,” as it clocks in slightly below the rate of inflation.
Also included in the proposed operating budget is a 9.9 per cent increase to water and sanitary rates, which city staff say is necessary due to increased costs to maintain and replace infrastructure, at the same time as water consumption is decreasing.
New funding would be provided in eight areas, including $100,000 for more maintenance of forest areas and $35,700 to “improve the city’s ability to engage volunteers in the community.”
Final approval for the budget is slated for Feb. 23.
