City councillors will vote on the 2018 budget at it’s meeting next Tuesday.

The finance committee is recommending at 3 per cent tax increase and another 7.4 per cent hike for water/wastewater rates.

This is down from the original proposed tax increase of 3.5 per cent.

For a typical homeowner, taxes will go up about $ 87 per year and the water user rates are in line with the financial plan to ensure service sustainability.

Part of the 2018 plan is the financing of the new Arena / Event centre, continuing to recruit new doctors and revitalizing area playgrounds.

The budget is comprised of $564 million for operations and another $263 million for the capital budget.

104 million dollars has also been set aside for road improvements like four-laning of Municipal Road 35.