The mayor of Rigaud is agreeing to take a second look at the town’s budget after he proposed a 10 percent property tax hike.
Scores of Rigaud residents showed up at city hall for the council meeting Monday night to tell Mayor Hans Gruenwald Jr. they’re not happy with his plan.
But hours before the meeting, Gruenwald said he would postpone the planned vote.
"The citizens, they are not happy but guess what? I'm not happy either but I have this reality that I have to live with," said Gruenwald.
Gruenwald said the devastating spring flooding is largely to blame for the heavy hike, because it cost the town $400,000.
He has now told each department to re-examine its planned spending to see what spending can be reduced or postponed.
"I don't know whaht will be cut or how much will be cut but we have decided to review the entire process," said Gruenwald.
Furious residents jeered the mayor when he announced the vote was postponed, with some saying he was being disrespectful.
Many said other municipalities got hit by floods and are only seeing 2 to 3 percent increases.
“It’s too much because if the flood situation cost the city too much, it should be resolved by the city, not by all the owners. We are victims of flooding and we have to pay for it?“ said Rigaud resident Yvon Mathieu.
Many residents say it’s especially hard on them because they still have not received their compensation packages for the damage to their homes as a result of the spring flooding.
Rigaud now plans to table a budget in February, and Gruenwald expects it will still contain tax increases.
