POUCE COUPE -- Residents of Pouce Coupe are raising concerns about potential tax hikes and a decline in services, as the mayor and councillors debate another round of finance drafts.

The village had been exploring ways of reducing its deficit by cutting back on expenditures.

One of the proposed options presented during an April 3rd council meeting, suggested cutting back a funding increase of $21,000 for the local library, and $13,000 for the Pouce Coupe Museum.

In the latest draft, presented April 17th, that funding would stay in place but residents could see a year-over-year tax increase of 10 per cent until 2028.

Instead of reducing services, choosing not to hire a new chief accounting officer at a cost of $165,000 is now being proposed.

Pouce Coupe must approve its financial plan by the first week of May.

CJDC-TV reached out to Mayor Danielle Veach, who refused to comment on the library or pending budget recommendations.