It was a packed house at the North Dumfries council chambers on Sunday as council discussed the 2015 budget.
Council originally proposed a 23.02% tax hike.
The main reason for the tax increase is a deficit of over $700,000 from 2014.
“Some of the challenges that you see over years has actually been a fact that we haven't had the necessary funds to really carry on what I would call a sustainable municipality,” Acting CAO Steve Stone said of the deficit.
Councillors questioned previous council and staff spending.
“How can this happen? How can we have every department be over budget? Every department spending more money than what they said they would spend in wages?” asked councillor Rod Rolleman.
Beyond the deficit, the budget will cover the cost of increased winter maintenance, increased utility costs and increased contributions for infrastructure reserves.
To pare the budget down council has decided to move into the North Dumfries community centre and sell the old township building. They are also postponing a proposed soccer field.
In the end council approved a nine per cent increase, which will be around $63 a year for the average resident. That amount was only possible because of a $475,000 contribution from a gravel pit reserve.
Residents are frustrated.
“It's important to realize we've had to keep up with the times and we haven't been to date,” said Jill Yuzwa.
Leonard Lee says he would like to see more accountability.
“We’ve got two new councillors in there that have been asking for reports since they got in in November and they’re not receiving them. So I think their questions and finger-pointing is justified,” Lee said.
The revised budget will be presented to council Monday night. The final budget is set to be approved on April 14.
