Bills for council tax in Frodsham look set to rise by more than £75 a year.
On top of the 3.99% rise on the way from Cheshire West and Chester Council, Frodsham Town Council have voted to raise their precept.
FTC are upping their part of the tax by more than 50% from £38.38 to £58.16.
This is due to the council dipping into its reserves in recent years instead of raising the bill.
Frodsham Town Council chairman Mike Pusey said: “In an ideal world we would never increase the precept to our residents.
“But after subsidising increases in recent years by using money from the council’s cash reserves, it was felt an increase was now unavoidable.
“Part of the increase has been due to ensuring the council continues to comply with the minimum wage payment and new pension schemes.
“Councillors have worked tirelessly over the last few weeks to minimise any rise and it is hoped the increase for 2016 will help FTC keep any rise in future years to a minimum.”
The rise was only approved by a slight margin of five votes to four.
Councillor Mallie Poulton said: “It doesn’t make it right to increase the precept just because it hasn’t gone up for the past three years.
“If you think I haven’t got a headache already with that people are saying about this, you can’t put it up this much.”
FTC precepts go towards services such as Frodsham Christmas Festival, supporting community groups and funding the PCSO.
CWaC look set to approve a rise in council tax for the 2015-16 budget which will see a band D home in Frodsham pay an extra £50.72.
Combining the two increases, along with raises from the Police and Crime Commissioner and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, will see the average household in the town have £76.91 added to their annual bill.
Cabinet member for finance and legal councillor David Armstrong said: “The government is substantially cutting the amount of money it allocates to Cheshire West and Chester Council over the next four years.
“The financial challenges facing the authority are more significant than they have ever been and it is important to take a longer term view to addressing this, rather than taking short-term decisions from one year to the next.”
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Elsewhere at FTC, Judith Critchley was elected unapposed to the Lakes Ward, while Cllr David Clarke resigned form his Waterside position due to ill health.
This means two positions on the council remain open, with members to discuss filling the vacancies through co-options at the full council meeting on February 8.
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