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Dryden tax increase on the way

Dryden councillors were split Monday night on whether 2024’s increase should be 4.31 per cent or approximately 6.4 per cent.
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Dryden Mayor Jack Harrison (nwonewswatch.com)

DRYDEN – Residents will see their property taxes go up this year, but by how much is yet to be decided.

Dryden councillors were split Monday night on whether 2024’s increase should be 4.31 per cent or approximately 6.4 per cent.

Coun. Michelle Price said she’s “very comfortable” with 4.31 per cent, while Coun. Bryan Tardiff said 6.4 per cent would be more prudent.

In the end, Tardiff and three other councillors voted against a motion supporting a budget based on the lower increase. Price voted in the minority with Mayor Jack Harrison and Coun. Martin MacKinnon.

A new draft of the budget will be presented at the next Dryden council meeting on Feb. 12.

Councillors who voted against the budget motion Monday night cited concern that the city have sufficient funds for the Eagles Landing golf course and rehabilitating Memorial Avenue.

“There was some that wanted to move forward, and some people had a different idea,” Coun. Bill Latham said Tuesday.

“I think it’s a good thing that we’re going to move on and start getting some streets done and so on, and the golf course is a big issue for us,” he continued.

The city will need some capital for the golf course to be “first class,” he said.

“And I don’t want to see it being taken from reserves. We need to build our reserves.”

The 2024 tax levy requirement submitted to council Monday night is pegged at $15.8 million. The largest category of operating expenses is policing at $5.5 million, up nine per cent from 2023.



Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

About the Author: Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

After working at newspapers across the Prairies, Mike found where he belongs when he moved to Northwestern Ontario.
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