Huntsville is one step closer to finalizing its 2018 budget. At Tuesday’s committee meeting, a net levy increase of 5.91 per cent was decided on. That represents a 2.42 per cent tax increase for the Huntsville portion of your tax bill. However, the final number will depend on what the District of Muskoka and the Board of Education budgets come in at. Right now, it’s looking like the district will see a 3.9 per cent levy increase, while education has a three per cent decrease. Assuming those numbers stay the same, the total tax increase Huntsville homeowners are looking at is 0.57 per cent, which equals out to be $5.00 for every $100,000 in home assessments.
That could change on an individual basis if there is a change in assessment for your home or property.
Part of what makes up the tax hike is a bigger spend on snow removal, the minimum wage increase, the Hunters Bay Trail extension and maintenance of the town fleet. Some projects being considered beyond 2018 include updating the McCulley Robertson Park, fixing the retaining wall at the Brunel Locks, and reconstructing Centre Street.
The budget will come back to the council table in late January for a vote.
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