Local tab for health unit to drop in 2007

Local taxpayers will benefit from a drop of more than $2-million in the 2007 municipal levy to the health unit, preliminary estimates show.

With the provincial share of public health budgets reaching 75% next year, and for following years, the municipal taxpayer will be covering an estimated $6.2-million of a budget expected to be just under $25 million.

By 2008, though, the three-year financial plan and related projections forecast a slight increase in the municipal levy and possibly again in 2009. Budget projections are created based on population growth, cost of living increases and community needs.