Niagara Region councillors managed to trim a few decimal points from next year's tax increase through last minute decisions, Thursday night.

Nevertheless, they still approved the largest tax increase Niagara has seen in more than a decade - bringing in a total $392,319,613 from regional taxpayers, driving up taxes by about 5.85 per cent.

The 2020 budget will increase the region's portion of property tax bills by $85 a year for average Niagara homes valued at $277,044.

That's down from the six per cent rate hike Region staff initially presented to councillors - primarily driven by provincial downloading, as well as inadequate funding by council in past years.

The budget will be up for final ratification at the Dec. 12 council meeting.

Despite dealing with the largest tax increase in more than a decade, several councillors were bothered by some of the recommended cuts in the proposed budget.

St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik was concerned by a deferral of funding for suicide prevention initiatives that included hiring two additional public health department staff, at a time "when we're facing a crisis."

Sharing his concern, St. Catharines Coun. Laura Ip successfully amended the budget to include $185,678 in money for the initiative.

Staff's recommendation to eliminate funding for programs like ProKids, which helps subsidize recreational programs for low-income families, was another concern for councillors.

Lincoln Coun. Rob Foster tried unsuccessfully to amend the budget to add $250,000 to reestablish ProKids. His plan would have added 0.1 per cent to the budget.

His motion was defeated by a vote of 16-9.

Fort Erie Mayor Wayne Redekop said if that funding was put back in the budget, "what do we take out?"

Referring to concerns about homelessness, he said "we're part of the problem, if we keep piling expenses on the people" who are paying the taxes.

"It's a problem for people who are trying to stay in their homes," he said.

Niagara Falls Coun. Peter Nicholson agreed, saying council "can't keep adding to this budget when we're already at six per cent."

Welland Mayor Frank Campion tried, unsuccessfully, to amend the budget to include $600,000 for business incentive programs, funded through the rate stabilization fund and anticipated year-end surplus so it wouldn't add to the tax increase.

"It's a driver for development," Campion said, adding there is a return on investment. "I'm encouraging all of council to support this. It does have an impact."

Councillors, however, voted 15-10 against Campion's amendment.

Referring to a recommendation to cut the Niagara Prosperity Initiative that funds programs that help alleviate poverty, regional Chair Jim Bradley asked how that fits in with the focus among communities like St. Catharines that are working to become more compassionate.

Community services department commissioner Adrienne Jugley said considering the financial pressure on the Region, Niagara's limited resources will be better used to support an $800,000 increase in homelessness services funding that was included in the budget.

An amendment by Redekop cut $750,000 from the budget by using savings from staff reductions in the Region's audit department to reduce the levy, rather than add the money to reserves.

Several councillors also argued against $290,000 for funding a study on the economic development benefits of taking over Niagara's airports

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However, cancelling the previously approved study would require a two-third majority at a full council meeting.

Treasurer Todd Harrison called the budget a "transparent document that provides both affordability and sustainability."

Although the tax increase is higher than in past years, he said staff believe it is affordable.

Deputy treasurer Helen Chamberlain said the increase amounts to about $18.7 million, and with upper tier government funding included for specific projects, the total budget increase is $33.9 million.

More than half that increased funding will be used to support infrastructure, as well as long-term care and transit projects.

Chamberlain said the region's average budget increase in each of the past five years was about 1.94 per cent, of which only 0.16 per cent has been available to fund infrastructure needs.

"We've been trying to be very transparent about the pressures we are facing," she said.

Acting chief administrative officer Ron Tripp said development of the proposed budget was the result of "considerable collaboration" among Region staff.

"We recognize we've made some very difficult recommendations," he said.

Despite a perception that regional budgets continue to increase annually, Tripp said the budget has actually been "contracting" as increases fall short of costs.

"Our reality is, in the past five years we haven't even come close" to meeting infrastructure investment targets, he said.

Allan.Benner@niagaradailies.com

905-225-1629 | @abenner1