East Hawkesbury council had its first look at the preliminary proposal for the 2024 municipal budget.

Chief Administrator Luc Lalonde presented his report on the first draft of next year’s budget during the November 13 council session.

The total proposed budget, including day-to-day operation expenses and a list of capital works projects, is about $4.5 million. The municipal tax levy amounts to about $2.6 million.

If there are no changes to the preliminary draft of the budget, council may need to approve a five-per-cent tax increase to avoid having a deficit situation. Provincial regulations forbid municipalities and school districts from approving deficit budgets.

For the average homeowner in East Hawkesbury Township, with a house and land valued at $209,874, a five-per-cent tax increase would mean an increase of $51.54 on the municipal portion of the property tax bill. The complete property ta bill includes the money that the township has to collect for the school districts, United Counties of Prescott-Russell, provincial government and other agencies, like the South Nation Conservation Authority. Those property taxes are then forwarded to their respective agencies.

Council voted to receive the preliminary report on the 2024 proposed budget for continued discussion at a later date.