Growth and inflation are behind a 5.8 per cent tax hike for residents of Brant County, according to Mayor David Bailey.
“We found a balance between meeting the needs of the community while ensuring we are acting in a financially responsible manner,” Bailey said in a news release about the passing of the county’s official 2023 budget.
The tax hike will result in an increase of $185.55 a year for the median home in Brant.
Along with inflation, which has pushed up salaries, fuel, materials, contracts and services, Bailey said Brant’s ongoing growth means the need for more expensive infrastructure ranging from new roads, water services and sidewalks to additional programs and services, plus the staff to deliver them all.
The county is also working on some key community projects like affordable housing and a new fire station; adding programs for residents; building multi-use paths; supporting community partners, such as the Stedman Hospice; and advancing environmental protection.
“When comparing the County of Brant to surrounding single-tier municipalities,” said Bailey, “Brant still has one of the lower tax rates.
The county has maintained a consistently low property tax rate with a high level of service and we are proud of that.”
As evidence of that, the county compared the 2022 tax costs on a $350,000 home in neighboring communities.
While such a homeowner in Brant would pay $3,531, in Brantford the tax would be $4,752; in Haldimand County $4,286 and in Norfolk County $4,700.
The county said most municipalities that have finalized budgets for 2023 have added property tax increases, although they vary greatly.
Brantford just approved a 2.24 percent tax increase that will add $76.85 to the average residential tax bill and noted it’s the second lowest increase in Ontario among single-tier municipalities with populations of more than 100,000.
Brant County used reserve funds to reduce the impact of an even greater tax hike.
“Next year,” said the news release, “council will need to carefully consider how to meet the growing needs of the community while maintaining an appropriate level of reserves.”
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