At a meeting Wednesday evening, council members in Innisfil approved the 2019-2020 budget.

According to a press release issued by the town, the two-year budget includes an estimated blended tax increase of 2.32 per cent for 2019 and a 2.6 per cent increase for 2020.

The town says the tax hike works out to be an annual increase of $98.23 for 2019, based on an average home in Innisfil valued at $423,053.

In 2020 the increase will translate to $112.79 based on an average home valued at $446,363, the town says.

Part of the taxes the town of Innisfil is responsible for collecting includes money for the County of Simcoe, local school boards and the South Simcoe police.

The town also sets aside one per cent for the capital levy, to cover the costs associated with replacing aging infrastructure and other assets.

According to the release, the town portion of the year-over-year increase is one per cent.

“By proposing a one per cent increase for the town portion, staff continue to demonstrate that we are serious about providing the most effective and efficient municipal government possible,” chief administrative officer, Jason Reynar, said in the release. “We are pleased that council adopted a reasonable tax increase that still enhances our services.”

Highlights of the 2019-20 budget include plans to open the Rizzardo Health and Wellness Centre by the end of the year as well as upgrades to Innisfil Beach Park.

The town has also allotted funds to complete a new fire station in the Big Bay Point area, and plans to construct the area surrounding the Lakeshore Innisfil ideaLAB & Library into a skating rink and splash pad. The town also plans on expanding the stage and other amenities.

According to the release, one of Innisfil’s largest investments will be to improve several of the town’s key roads.

The town says Line 7 will be reconstructed from Yonge Street to the 10th Sideroad, and will be reconstructed and urbanized from the 20th Sideroad to Lake Simcoe.

“I am sincerely proud of this council for its hard work by diving into this and following through on the priorities that residents have told us they care about,” Innisfil mayor Lynn Dollin said in the release.

“This budget will see us making an exciting and important investment in creating more local employment opportunities, keeping our community safe and bringing health care closer to home.”

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