North Huron has approved their 2023 budget which was kept to a 7.09 per cent increase, a much smaller number than previously discussed of 20.65 per cent discussed in January.
Some money was needed to be taken out from reserves to keep the increase at 7.09 per cent.
One of the biggest concerns in budget discussions has been recreation and the potential shutout of one of two facilities within North Huron to cut costs but this is no longer expected.
Councilor Chris Palmer did however express concerns with a recreation cut of $500,000 and how it won’t affect services.
“I guess my concern is the (recreation) cut wasn’t going to affect operations or services. I have a hard time with that one. Were you working with the Rec Director on that? Was it vetted?” said Palmer.
Director of Finance, Chris Townes says he met with the Director of Recreation, the CAO and another staff member for a meeting where he says there was a censuses though Palmer still maintained the cut in recreation is a big blow.