Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien says a three or four per cent hike to your property taxes is more realistic than the combined 10 per cent increase that is currently on the table.
"I personally will be striving for as low as possible. Zero is always my target, but I think we can get it down to three to four per cent," O'Brien told CTV Ottawa on Tuesday.
The mayor, who ran a "Zero means zero" election campaign, is trying to whittle down next year's tax increase. Right now, the property tax increase sits at 7.1 per cent. New user fees for the city's green bin and recycling programs put that number closer to 10 per cent.
"I don't think when inflation is one and a half per cent - that's acceptable," O'Brien said.
Part of the increase to your tax bill is a two per cent infrastructure tax that council endorsed last year. Councillors say wage settlements for city workers also contribute to the city's financial commitments.
"We have a couple of constraints one of them arbitration rulings that have led to settlements double the rate of inflations and pay is a huge chunk of our costs," said Coun. Rick Chiarelli.
To help tackle the costs, fees for skating and swimming are both expected to rise. The cost for public transit is also expected to increase 3.5 per cent.
The city's treasurer says although next year's tax bill appears to be high, the increase will likely get significantly lower before it gets passed by council.
"What we've identified in a summary of report is that right now you're looking at a tax increase of 7.1 per cent, but that is before (the committee) has done their work and I am certain that number will go down," said Marian Simulik.
The city's budget will be tabled to council on Dec. 9.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Karen Soloman
