Residents of Barrington will pay more in taxes this year.
The municipality has increased the residential tax rate by four cents to $1.05 per $100 of assessment.
The commercial rate was maintained at $2.56.
CAO Chris Frotten says the decision wasn’t taken lightly.
“If all of the costs continue to rise at the level they’re rising now and our rate stays the same, we would be in an operating deficit in about 5-6 years. That’s obviously not a situation we want to be in.”
Frotten says by raising the residential tax rate now, they can eliminate the concern of an operating deficit in the future.
The municipality has budgeted $1-million for capital projects including upgrading a section of sewer system, paving Red Schoolhouse Lane and replacing the North East Point boardwalk.
Recreation is a also a key component in this year’s budget.
Nearly $500,000 has been committed to projects including the design of a new recreation building.
The municipality is also buying a new zamboni, roof, exterior and interior doors and a new floor at the arena.
There will also be new fencing at the Ralph ‘Creamer’ Atwood ball field, batting cages and a new canteen/storage building at the Sherose Island ball field.
Frotten says they hope it will help people become more physically active.
“It’s obviously well known that someone who is physically active and lives a healthy lifestyle as much as possible tends to be healthier and is less of a burden on our health care system.”
The municipality’s expenditures are budgeted at just over $9.4-million including $1.8-million for policing and $1.3-million for education.
