The city of Dauphin is proposing a 3.5 per cent property tax increase for the 2024 budget year.
"We looked at other municipalities in the province and other provinces that were having double-digit (tax) increases, and we were very fortunate and with the good work of our staff and administration on figuring out ways to pay for it." said Dauphin Mayor Dave Bosiak. "And we did two things with the budget this year - a modest tax increase, but we also dipped into our reserves again."
Bosiak describes it as a modest tax increase, more falling in line with cost of living increases.
"We are fortunate that a lot of the work that is being done and that we are paying for, people are seeing and I think they can appreciate that we have to pay for this. So we have been very fortunate that we got a significant additional contribution from the provincial government on the Highway South project. So that helps us with the looming new infrastructure project which will really come on the books next year, which is our lagoon upgrade."
Other items in this year's budget include around 2 million dollars towards public safety and a further 2 million on recreation and culture.
Dauphin residents will have a chance to review the budget and ask questions or make comments to council and staff during a special financial plan public hearing on Monday night.
The public hearing is set to take place at 5 pm at City Hall.
