Bracebridge councillors are putting a stamp of approval on the 2018 budget.
The budget was passed during the final conversation on the financial forecast Wednesday night. Not many changes were made to the proposal as Town Treasurer Stephen Rettie says councillors were overall happy with the balance of municipal needs and the tax increase.
Rettie says the budget focuses on infrastructure rehabilitation, transit, the local economy and planning for the future. This includes investments in the future site of the proposed arena complex, rehabilitation of James Street and putting more money into the infrastructure reserve for future projects.
The budget approval also gives the green light to the next step in bringing more attention back to the historic Woodchester Villa. Deputy Mayor Rick Maloney told the MyMuskokaNow Newsroom in a recent interview that the building needs about $120,000 in renovations. He said there are plans to put a full-time staff member in the building to open it to the public.
The 2018 budget comes with a 3.4 per cent increase will add about $30 to the tax bill for a $200,000 home.
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