The first draft of the Espanola municipal budget has been released showing an increase in taxes if it were to stand as it is now.
The Town of Espanola is looking at a tax increase of 4.37%, nearly $331,500, but the work is ongoing to bring the increase down.
Town CAO, Cynthia Townsend, says last year money was taken out of reserves to bring in a zero increase in taxes
Townsend adds departmental budgets have decreased by .3%, nearly $24,500, which is less than the $355,000 drawn from the reserves last year.
Budget talks continue and staff and council are looking at ways to bring the increase down for taxpayers.