Haliburton County councilors have approved the 2015 budget and it means a 2.7 per cent increase for residents. The decision came after councilors agreed to borrow 1.9 million dollars, which they’ll pay back in four years starting in 2016. Another factor included some of the road projects which came in over budget, adding another 250 thousand dollars, but councilors agreed they’re projects that need to be done. This means the Dark Lake Bridge and Head Lake Bridge will be completed in the next year or two, along with County Road 7 (Kennisis Lake Road), County Road 14 (Haliburton Lake Road), County Road 503 and 507.
Everyone at the table voiced their concerns, saying it’s not something they were happy to do, but said the low increases they’ve kept in the past has put them behind the eight ball, and now it’s time to get ahead. By-laws for the 2015 budget will come forward at the next council meeting for official approval.