By Cecilia Nasmith Northumberland 89.7/Today’s Northumberland
Cobourg council has finalized a budget that should keep the 2025 tax increase to a little under $240 on an average home.
Cobourg council has finalized its 2025 budget with a 6.55% increase – a 5.23% net increase, allowing for new assessment growth of 2.32% and a 1% infrastructure levy.
In terms of numbers, that works out to a capital budget of $111,482,784 and an operating budget of $32,688,195.
“On an average home in Cobourg, this reflects an increase of approximately $20 a month, $5 a week. A little under $240 per year is what that percentage equals,” Councillor Randy Barber said.
“I do want to bring it down to that figure so people can look at it in a realistic way.”
These figures were changed at the last minute in part because of the Cobourg Public Library having reviewed its budget as requested. Library board liaison Aaron Burchat said their requested budget increase had dropped to 15.87% from 19.73%. Burchat described reductions in pay-equity compensations requested in alignment with town-staff increases, with a compensation review and better alignment with town-staff increases in the future.
Councillor Miriam Mutton said she would support the budget this year, in spite of her recollection that the question of a 1% infrastructure levy had been considered and rejected. As for next year, she would like to see this discussed again before the 2026 budget.
Author: Cecilia Nasmith
