Residents living outside Windsor could find out Wednesday night how much their county levy will go up.
A report to Essex County Council calls for a 0.67 per cent increase in its residential tax rate.
If it is approved, it would mean an increase of $6.50 from last year on a typical home valued at $200,000.
The increase for 2019 was 1.43 per cent.
The county faces several pressures, including paying more for emergency medical services at a time when provincial funding has not increased, the continued cost of maintaining and repairing its road network, inflation, and growth in the demand for service.
Lakeshore Town Council approved a 2.5 per cent increase in its 2020 budget Monday night. That will increase property taxes by $25.54 on a home valued at $250,000.
Mayor Tom Bain called the budget "fair," saying the increase is needed to keep up with the town's population growth. He explained the town plans to hire an economic development officer and a planner, as well has continue investment in its roads. Lakeshore continues to be the fastest-growing municipality in the region.
Amherstburg Town Council managed to bring a 4.55 per cent increase down to 0.56 per cent when it approved its budget for next year. Council will give its final approval on December 9.
On December 10, councillors in Tecumseh are expected to finalize the town's budget for next year with a 0.4 per cent increase, not including the county and education levies.
Essex starts budget deliberations in January, Leamington, in February. Kingsville will choose its dates to deliberate the budget at its meeting on December 9. Windsor still has to deliberate its budget too.
