Hamilton homeowners facing average tax increase of just over 2%

Hamilton politicians appear to have reached an agreement on the city’s 2017 operating budget.

If approved in its current form at next Wednesday’s city council meeting, the average homeowner is looking at a 2.2 per cent tax increase or an extra $73.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger notes that the city’s share of the increase is 1.5 per cent, with property value reassessments responsible for the other 0.7 per cent.

Eisenberger believes they’ve come out of a “long journey” that has been “more difficult than most” with what he thinks is “a reasonable number”.

Rural and suburban areas will generally see tax increases below the city-wide average, while urban areas will be somewhat higher than 2.2 per cent. That’s the result of soaring property values downtown, across Hamilton mountain and in areas like Westdale.

The mayor adds that they’ve maintained service levels, despite eliminating dozens of staff positions during the budget process, including 23 at the management and administrative levels.

Get weekly money news

Get expert insights, Q&A on markets, housing, inflation, and personal finance information delivered to you every Saturday.

Sign up for weekly money newsletter Get Started

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

2017 Municipal Residential Tax Increase

Ward 1 – 4.5% ($164)
Ward 2 – 4.4% ($107)
Ward 3 – 4.5% ($85)
Ward 4 – 2.9% ($60)
Ward 5 – 2.3% ($64)
Ward 6 – 2.4% ($71)
Ward 7 – 2.8% ($91)
Ward 8 – 2.5% ($87)
Ward 9 (Urban) – 1.9% ($63)
Ward 9 (Rural) – 1.1% ($32)
Ward 10 – 2.0% ($66)
Ward 11 Stoney Creek (Urban) – 1.7% ($69)
Ward 11 Stoney Creek (Rural) – 0.9% ($31)
Ward 11 Glanbrook (Urban) – 0.7% ($26)
Ward 11 Glanbrook (Rural) – 0.1% ($3)
Ward 12 Dundas – 0.7% ($31)
Ward 13 Ancaster (Urban) – 2.3% ($92)
Ward 13 Ancaster (Rural) – 1.4% ($52)
Ward 14 Ancaster – (-2.5%) ($-98)
Ward 14 Flamborough – (-0.5%) ($-21)
Ward 15 Flamborough (Urban) – 1.7% ($76)
Ward 15 Flamborough (Rural) – 0.3% ($10)