Taxes Going Up in Dryden

Taxes are going up in Dryden.
Ratepayers will be paying a minimum of 5% in 2012, but that’s expected to climb with the Provincial Mill rate looming.
Treasurer Linda McNaughton says it was a challenge to balance the budget.
McNaughton says a reduced dividend from DMTS and the past years inflation rate increase of 2.8% were factors.
She says each 1% inflation rate has an impact on the City of about $250,000, so the City is looking at $700,000 increase in operating costs.
McNaughton says they also had to deal with no increase in user feers and maintaining service levels.
Mayor Craig Nuttall supported the budget, noting that Dryden has one of the lowest tax rates in the Region.
Nuttall says the capital budget stands at $1.2-million.
Council voted Monday night 4-2 in favour of the budget, with Councilors Mike Wood and Brian Collins voting against the fiscal document.
Both stated its too early to pass the budget and note Council received the numbers late.