Prepare to take a hit on your tax bill.
Niagara regional councillors will get a look at a draft budget Thursday night that includes a 5.8 percent property tax increase.
While regional departments managed to keep their spending increases below two percent, the region's finance director says increased spending on transit, waterfront improvements and cultural programs will drive the budget up by 4.7 percent.
When the police budget is factored in, it brings the total tax hike to close to six percent.
If it's approved, the owner of a home valued at $267,711 will pay 84 dollars more on the regional portion of their tax bill.