The multi-year budget brings in lower tax levy increase than city staff budget, council will still review
St. Catharines taxpayers can expect to see a further reduction in what they pay after the release of the Mayor's 2024-2026 Multi-year budget.
It includes a 1.49% city tax levy increase, which follows the city staff recommended budget of a 3.67-percent increase. The city says the staff budget meant an additional $62 on the average bill, while this budget brings a $25 increase.
There is a 30-day amendment period for city council to make changes, all under the new Strong Mayor powers.
Mayor Mat Siscoe encourages people to talk to city councillors about any concerns, many of which have centred around not raising taxes, while maintaining services.
The city says the 1.49-percent increase addresses those concerns, adding any further cut to the rate would result in cuts to services.
The mayor says while this system is different from previous processes, this should ensure maximum amount of transparency.
Highlights of the budget include a commitment to lower the levy by $500,000, using money saved in previous years due to the difficulty in hiring staff, and use of $1.4-million from the Special Tax Mitigation Fund, set up last year in reducing tax burden.
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