Elliot Lake council has passed its 2022 municipal budget with an increase.
Council has approved a 3.86 percent increase this year.
One of the big cuts is the summer day camp program, not due to the cost of $92,000 but due to a lack of students to run the program, according to Mayor Dan Marchisella.
He adds the decision to cancel day camp was made due to liability concerns linked to the city’s inability to deal with the risk the program presents.
Councillors also raised concerns that not enough money has been put in reserves for future councils to work with, but Marchisella says the rise in inflation and costs for taxpayers must be considered.
Councillors add with the continuing effects of the pandemic, the increase is in place to cover the rising costs for the municipality to continue to operate and provide the same levels of service.