Hawkesbury councillors want levy increase at 9.5 per cent for 2025

[Michael Jack]

First it was 9.99 per cent, and now it is 9.5 per cent. That is the latest direction from Hawkesbury town council to municipal Treasurer Philippe Timbers on where to set the tax levy increase in the town’s 2025 budget.

Following council’s direction for 9.99 per cent at a budget meeting held on November 7, Timbers presented a revised draft budget to council on Tuesday, November 12. Originally, a levy increase of 11 per cent was projected for 2025.

To achieve the 9.99 per cent increase, reduced funding for infrastructure and the annual Multicultural Festival was recommended.

The main reason for the significant increase in the 2025 tax levy for Hawkesbury property owners is a 4.5 per cent increase in Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) service for the town.

However, there was little support for a 9.99 per cent levy increase on council at the November 12 meeting.

Councillor Antonios Tsourounakis said he appreciated the effort by staff to reduce the increase below a double-digit amount and noted the significant increase is still because of policing costs.

“Almost half that increase is fully going to the police,” he remarked.

Tsourounakis said he preferred a 9.5 per cent levy increase and would not support 9.99 per cent.

Councillor Jeanne Charlebois said she was not satisfied with 9.99 per cent either.

“For me, that’s 10 per cent,” she remarked.

To ease the budget challenges for the town, Charlebois suggested service charges be introduced for non-resident users of the public library and sports complex.

Tsourounakis suggested a 9.5 per cent levy increase and expressed hope that the Ontario government will provide increased funding to municipalities in 2025 while the possibility of a provincial election looms.

Councillor Yves Paquette said any levy increase should be made by looking ahead to how it will affect future municipal budgets.

Timbers will present an updated draft budget with a 9.5 per cent levy increase to council for consideration.

https://thereview.ca/2024/11/16/hawkesb ... -for-2025/