Tax rates are going up in Barrington for the first time in five years.
The residential rate is up three cents, while commercial rates are bumped by five cents for the first time in eight years.
That puts the residential rate at $1.10 per $100 of assessment, and the commercial rate at $2.61 per $100 of assessment.
Warden Shaun Hatfield says costs are increasing.
“Just the increase in the cost of policing, education and waste collection. Those three areas have gone up by over a million dollars in the last three years, and they are essential services,” says Hatfield.
The $7 million capital budget includes $4.7 million for the new recreation centre and over a million dollars for a treatment plant upgrade in Brass Hill.
The operating budget comes in at just over $11.8 million.
Hatfield says the increase is to help provide key services for residents.
“You’re always trying to balance not putting a tax burden on residents, but at the same time if you want services and amenities in your community, you have to be able to pay for those as well.”
He says council got a tour of the progress at the recreation centre, which is being built on to the Sandy Wickens Memorial Arena.
Hatfield adds that if all goes well, it should be open in the fall.
