IQALUIT - Despite a day's delay after Iqaluit dug out from a blizzard, city councillors approved the 2007 budget on Jan. 25.

The $31 million budget passed after three days of line-by-line scrutiny from councillors.

Coun. Jimmy Kilabuk pores over budget documents during a council meeting Wednesday. The city approved its 2007 on Jan 25. - Chris Windeyer/NNSL photo

Property taxes will rise 2.5 per cent and commercial landfill fees will spike 70 per cent.

The tax increase was pre-ordained, said Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik. City voters approved a five-year capital plan in 2002 and the tax hike comes as a result of the increased maintenance costs from that plan, she said.

"Every time you put in infrastructure it adds (costs) each year," she said.

There isn't much new spending, but spending will continue on older projects like the Plateau subdivision and the city's walkways project.

The big spike in commercial garbage fees are a result of going without an increase for more than a decade, said finance director John Hussey.

"The cost of inflation and the cost of operation has outgrown the existing services rates," he said.

The budget now goes to the Government of Nunavut for approval. Hussey said the city expects to hear back in three to four weeks.