The average homeowner in West Lincoln will see their taxes go up by around $70.
The Township has approved the 2019 operating budget of $15,139,450 which will mean an estimated overall tax increase of $67.05 or 5.63% to the West Lincoln portion of taxes for an average home assessed at $363,877.
This works out to an estimated overall tax increase of 4.78% for the average residential taxpayer in West Lincoln when the Niagara Region and School Board taxes are considered.
Mayor Dave Bylsma says the budget reflects the direction council wants to move forward with and begins to address the balance of capital improvements and service delivery residents expect.
The budget includes service level changes to provide basic staff funding for the West Lincoln Community Centre and Library, new part-time IT support and the base funding for an anticipated Gypsy Moth Abatement program.
The 2019 operating budget includes the third and final allocation towards the West Lincoln Community Centre project of $307,000 and approval of Capital and Special Projects totalling $7,133,400.
Some highlights include:
• Accelerating the Roads Needs Study to review the condition of all Township roads;
• Bridge 34 (North Chippawa Rd) & Bridge 16 (Patterson Rd) construction and design funding for Bridge 35 (Westbrook Rd);
• New Station Two Fire Rescue truck;
• 4 Secondary Plans to shape our Township;
• Sidewalk/Streetscaping and new wastewater and water mains along Regional Road 20(West St) in conjunction with the Regional Rd Improvement project; and
• 4.5 km of surface treatment renewal along portions of Sixteen Rd and South Chippawa Rd