At Perth Council’s Dec 9th meeting, a final vote was taken to approve the 2026 budget and its 8% tax hike and a 6% jump in water/sewer billings.
The move will add $345 next year for a property assessed at the town’s median’s value. All councillors expressed their displeasure with having to deliver such an increase to residents struggling with inflation and an insecure future.
But only Councillor Jim Boldt voted against the by-law, stating more efficiencies were needed.
Councillor David Bird contradicted Jim’s position stating no alternatives were available.
Bird also gave his opinion that Perth was ahead of many municipalities in terms of dealing with increasing costs without new development to help ease the present financial burden.
Story by Brian Turner
