Council tax in Dartford is set to shoot up by nearly £100 a year for the average home as both county and borough councils hike bills.
Kent County Council agreed yesterday a rise of just under five per cent - working out at an extra £52.30 a year for households in an average band C home.
The KCC increase will try to combat a daunting £113m budget black hole at the county council.
KCC said the hike would fill a budget gap caused partly by a £45m in government grants being slashed.
Dartford Council is also set to raise its level of council tax for a consecutive year, after seven years of keeping it at a zero per cent increase.
At a budget meeting next week councillors are set to give the green light to a three per cent hike, working out at an additional £4.95 a year for band D households.
Council leader, Jeremy Kite, told News Shopper: "We have been very transparent with people and told them there would be an extra fiver a year on the council tax. I think people understand and don't mind spending extra money if they can see it is not being wasted.
"We had a reputation at Dartford for keeping a zero per cent increase, but now we are saying we need the extra fiver to make sure we keep the services people want from us going. I get the feeling people don't mind spending a little extra if services are provided."
Dartford council tax for Band D houses is be to be increased to £172 a year, which will contribute to a total of £1,655.14 a year.
Last year the bill was £1,577.17.
Council tax is made up of county council, Kent Fire and Rescue, Police, and borough councils.
County council tax is spent on:
Schools
Roads
Social care and health,
Libraries
Flooding
Buses
Dartford Borough's income is spent on:
Bins
Housing
Planning applications
Recycling
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