The average Mono ratepayer will face no property tax increase in 2010 for town services — the same situation enjoyed for three of the last four years.

The only exception was a 2.4 per cent hike in 2008.

Town council passed the budget at its public meeting Tuesday. As it stands, ratepayers will be looking at an increase of about 0.5 per cent since there is a 1 per cent rise at county. The education portion has yet to be announced by the Province, but it is widely expected to be zero, as it has been for several years.

Mono began its budget deliberations at the beginning of November with a draft budget that needed to have $2.27 million shaved from it to reach the zero mark.

The target was reached swiftly with road construction taking the major hit. Work on 20 Sideroad between Airport Road and Mono-Adjala Townline, budgeted at $1.28 million, was deferred for a year. An additional $1 million was used from development charges and federal gas tax revenues to partially finance other infrastructure projects; notably the paving of 5 Sideroad from Airport Road to Mono-Adjala Townline.

At Tuesday's meeting, Councillor Jean Castel asked what was left in the town's financial reserves and added a precautionary statement: "If we keep spending our reserves and deferring projects, future councils will be facing large expenses." Mono treasurer Les Halucha said the town's reserves, both obligatory and discretionary, are approximately $3.5 million.

The town is also fortunate insofar as it is not carrying any debt. Therefore, Mono can accrue interest on existing reserves, while not having to worry about paying interest on money owed.

This was the final municipal budget brought forth by the current council, since elections are slated for November, 2010.

Nevertheless, there were suggestions from council members as to what projects should be considered for 2011.

"We don't want to lose thought of Fourth Line north of Hockley Road," said Councillor Bob Shirley. "It's really not safe."

As a result of the budget trimming, Mono's townonly tax rate will be cut by about six per cent from the 2009 rate of $5.06 per $1,000 assessment to offset an average 25 per cent increase in residential assessments produced by provincially ordered reassessment in 2007 that is being phased in over four years.

As a consequence, some Mono residents will see their tax bills drop because their assessments rose less than 25 per cent, while others whose assessments rose more than the average will face increases.