If the 2017 city budget, is approved tonight by Common Council, the tax rate will remain at $1.79.
Councillors have been told the tax base in Saint John is lower than both Fredericton and Moncton with wage increases outpacing city revenues.
Mayor Don Darling says the way forward is growth and that’s his main priority for 2017 with a plan expected by the end of March.
Councillors are being asked to approve a reserve fund of $2 million dollars from a $2.9 million surplus as well as another reserve fund of half a million dollars for the clean drinking water project.
The Rothesay town budget with a tax increase of one cent is also up tonight for approval.
