The town of Morris council has approved a $3.6 million operating budget for this year.

That represents a $154,000 decrease in spending compared to last year.

Mayor Scott Crick says staff and council set out this year to hold the line on municipal taxes due to the disparity that exists between the town and other communities in their trading area. Crick says they were able to find a number of savings in their operations across the board .

"And so the best part is, despite assessments going up this year, we're able to lower the tax rate or the mill rate by the approximate same amount," explains Crick. "So really, if someone's assessment didn't rise any more than the average level for the community, they'll actually see their taxes come in at the same level as they did last year."

This year's municipal mill rate decreased 2 mills or about 7 percent to 26.65 mills while the average property assessment in Morris rose 6.8 per cent.

A total of $2.54 million of revenue will be generated through the municipal tax levy this year, which makes up about 66 percent of total revenue.

Some of the larger capital expenditures in this year's financial plan include the expansion of the town's industrial park and the installation of fiber internet service throughout the community.