Grimsby taxes rise 1.7 per cent

Grimsby’s taxes are going up 1.72 per cent, or about $62.41 for a home with an average assessment of $309,000.

The 2014 budget includes a tax levy of just over $9.6 million, an increase of 3.37 per cent, after factoring in the assessment growth of 1.26 per cent.

The 2014 includes revenue losses and additional expenses that have contributed to the levy increase

Other items having an impact on this year’s levy:

• Salaries and wages increase of 1.5 per cent, compared to two per cent in prior years;

• A decrease in overall health benefits costs of $31,850 as a result of negotiations with insurance carriers;

• 2013 saw the end of OMERS contribution rate increases which had cost the town an incremental $50,000 per year for the past three years.

Major capital projects include street lighting, $1.5 million and the sports park at $3,318,750 with additional funds continuing into 2015.

Other major projects include watermain replacements and sewers, pollution control and a new snow plow. The capital budget also includes $52,000 for new library books, which is up $2,000 from last year.

The town’s portion is 24 per cent of resident’s tax bill. Education is 19 per cent, and the Niagara Region’s portion is 57 per cent.