LaSalle Releases 2016 Proposed Budget

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The proposed 2016 Town of LaSalle budget includes a 4.5% general tax increase.

“Council is committed to adopting a budget that will allow the residents of LaSalle to receive the services that they have come to expect,” said Mayor Ken Antaya. “We will look closely at the budget that administration has presented to us and discuss it at our budget session in December.”

The rate of 4.5% includes inflationary and contractual increases. The increase is larger than what has traditionally been proposed in recent years, but the town says that they have seen lower growth over the last few years relating to a decrease in revenues, and higher operating costs.

In recent years, Council has approved budget rates at less than half of the inflationary amount. The base budget includes only contractual and mandatory inflationary increases of $846,600, and $275,000 related to growth and service level changes (includes capital projects, equipment maintenance and part-time staffing). Based on past years, it is estimated that the 4.5% rate will be decreased to 2.8% increase once the Essex County and education tax rates are announced.

The town notes that despite concerted efforts by administration to obtain grants the last few years, LaSalle has not received grant funds.

LaSalle is also currently taking part in a Service Delivery Review. Through this process, all of the services offered and the ways in which they are delivered is being analysed. A report is expected from the consultants in early 2016.

The budget will be deliberated December 16th to 18th in Council Chambers, and will be open to the public. The entire budget will be available on the town’s website on November 25th.