Municipal council members praised themselves and town staff for a job well done after passing the 2006 budget and giving final approval for a 2.9 per cent tax increase.

"All of us worked hard as a team to achieve 2.9 per cent," noted Mayor George MacDonald. "It doesn't happen with just one person."

"We're probably as low or lower than other municipalities, not only in Simcoe County but (throughout) Ontario," he added.

For a house assessed at $161,600, the increase translates into $69 for the year. This figure is based on the average provincial residential property assessment of 11.3 per cent. Some residents - those with an assessment of less than eight per cent - may even see their taxes decrease from 2005.

"We know that 30 per cent of our residential property owners fall into this category (assessments less than eight per cent)," noted Coun. Bill Thompson, chair of the finance committee.

The town's $13.3-million levy includes an increase in the operating budget of $543,233 due, in part, to a three per cent raise in police and fire contracts and the hiring of another position in public works (for a total seven per cent increase in salaries and wages) and related payroll deductions and benefits increase of nine per cent.

There was also a 10 per cent increase in the town's property and liability insurance premiums; and a number of new costs including 911 Emergency Response Billing, previously paid for by the county, and council's decision to set aside $40,000 toward physician recruitment.

The municipality's capital budget also increased by $416,751 but had minimal impact on the tax increase due to room in the waste management, county and school sections of the overall budget.

The one-time tax room allowed the town to transfer $400,000 into a reserve for the reconstruction of Donalda and Frederick Street next year.

The following are some of the capital projects on the books for 2006:

- Full rebuild of Scott Street at $940,000 (includes a water and sewer portion and is offset by federal gas tax money)

- $650,000 for water system capital, including preparation work for the Sunnyside Water Tower to be constructed in 2007

- $1 million on existing debt charges and projects under wastewater, the largest being the Vindin Pump Station upgrade

- $5,000 to assist with the refurbishment of the cenotaph

- $20,000 for drainage work at Tiffin Park

- $65,000 for the Midland Public Library to cover existing debt charge, some cataloging costs and a number of capital needs, as well as architectural drawings in preparation of future expansion

- $20,000 towards renovations at Midland Fire Department

- $98,000 towards fire equipment for the continuation of the communication upgrades started last year (the project is also receiving grant funding assistance)

- $42,000 for municipal computer hardware upgrades

"All things considered the town will be accomplishing a lot with the dollars raised," Thompson said during his presentation of the budget.

"We are maintaining the levels of service that our residents have become accustomed to and we are embarking on capital projects that will enhance our town - all with a 2.9 per cent increase in taxes."

- $44,000 set aside for 2006 municipal election costs