THUNDER BAY -- Tax increases over the next three years could be lower than projected but it's up to city council's direction.
Last Monday city council sent a recommendation back administration that levy increases would average about 4.2 per cent, 3.2 for existing tax payers, every year over the next three years.
Monday night council voted down the referral, went with that option but added on the fact that they'd like to see options to bring down the increase to 2.5 per cent, 3.5 per cent total. There would also be an option to bring it to around 2.8 per cent.
Those options would include operating and capital reductions, something some on council wouldn't want to see.
Coun. Andrew Foulds said the city has worked hard over the years to try and close its infrastructure gap.
"I think this option to cut infrastructure spending is a mistake,” he said.
"I'm not wiling to take a step backward as to what we’ve achieved.”
Coun. Iain Angus said some on council want to look like heroes to taxpayers saying they're going to make cuts.
"Well that means service reductions," he said.
"I can't support that."
Coun. Rebecca Johnson though said continuing cost increases aren't fair to the public.
"What land are you living in ladies and gentlemen? It's certainly not the land I'm living in in this community,” she said.
Any decision would ultimately be made by council during budget deliberations Coun. Joe Virdiramo pointed out.
"I thought all we were doing this evening was to give administration the latitude to go ahead and continue working," he said.
