Sault residents could be facing hefty tax increase
Residents of Sault Ste. Marie could be looking at a nearly six per cent municipal tax increase this year.
City staff is presenting to council the preliminary budget estimates for 2023, and as it stands, the proposed increase to the tax levy is 5.97 per cent.
CAO Malcolm White said several factors are contributing to the increase, including inflation, higher fuel costs, supply chain disruptions and more frequent severe weather events attributed to climate change.
"We've worked very hard to trim things down to where it is right now, without having any impact on services," said White.
City council will now have a couple of weeks to look over the budget and return to the table with proposed changes, which could include deferring some items or projects to next year – or eliminating them altogether.
Mayor Matthew Shoemaker said council has a tough job ahead.
"The tax increase is high," Shoemaker said.
"We all expected it to be somewhat higher than past years because of the past year's high inflation. But I don't think (the number is) something that the community would accept. And so, it's something we're going to have to sharpen our pencils to bring down."
White, meantime, said while this is a challenging year for municipal finances, the local economy is recovering.
"Algoma Steel is on a great, sustainable path, Tenaris is making significant investments in the community, we have a new owner of the Station Mall, new ownership and operations of our primary tourist attraction, the Agawa Canyon Tour Train," he said.
"So, really as a community, we're well positioned for the future."
The city is asking for feedback from residents and business owners on the proposed budget. Suggestions and comments can be sent through the city's website.
Budget deliberations are scheduled for Feb. 13-14.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.