Ottawa residents could soon be slapped with a new snow removal tax.

Mayor Larry O'Brien told CTV News the city is about $23 million over budget based on projections following this winter's snowstorms.

O'Brien says he will propose a $50 tax per household to help pay for the unexpected increase in snow removal costs.

This month alone, Ottawa has spent $25 million on snow removal.

"I am going to recommend to council that we put this $50 charge on the tax bill this year. Let's pay our bills as they're becoming available," the mayor told CTV News.

He says the snow surcharge is a responsible move when it comes to paying city bills.

"We incurred these expenses this year in the drive to make sure that our citizens were safe, so I think for the sake of transparency and clarity that we should definitely pay our bills as they come in, as they come due," said O'Brien. "Quite frankly, this bill has come due for the citizens of Ottawa."

Not everyone agrees

But not all taxpayers agree with the proposed snow tax.

Many Ottawa residents say they pay enough tax already and are asking why they should be obligated to pay for snow removal service they are yet to see.

"I'm not impressed, to be honest. Our street is the last one always to be shovelled. It just doesn't make sense to me," said Ottawa taxpayer Brenda Mackey.

"We pay enough tax already, as is," said Domenico Musitano. "Some years we don't have as much snow, so they make money from us."

Others say they're torn. They want roads to be cleared but they don't want to see an increase in taxes.

"I want our roads clean. I want our roads safe. We walk to the bus stop every day and it's so dangerous right now," Laura Storrie told CTV News.

Storrie says although she wants better snow removal service, she doesn't want to see her taxes go up.

"I'm torn," she said.

If council passes the proposed tax, $50 will be added to this year's tax bill which will be sent in the mail in June.

With a report from CTV's Natalie Pierosara

Have your say. Tell us what you think of the proposed snow removal tax.