WINFIELD TWP — Township residents may see a 66 percent increase in their township taxes next year.

The township’s $662,979 proposed budget for 2016 has a property tax rate of 5 mills, which is a 2 mill increase from the current 3 mill rate.

Township secretary Adam Hartwig said the average homeowner’s township tax bill will go up $40. The average township tax bill there is about $90.

Hartwig said the increase is a part of a 7-year capital improvement plan the township is implementing.

“It’s something that’s never been done in this township before,” he said.

He said the increase will allow the township to transfer more funds into a capital improvement fund and into reserve funds. The driving factor behind the plan, he said, is to allow the township to update its infrastructure and to do more projects.

He said the budget for next year and in future years is sustainable and fiscally responsible. By building up reserves, Hartwig said the township can make larger down payments or pay cash on big purchases, meaning it will pay less interest.

“It’s really about planning for the future,” Hartwig said.

Township Supervisor Mike Robb said the plan is important.

“We really took a hard look at where we were going from a township perspective,” Robb said. “We need to make a conscious and concerted effort on this.”

Supervisors are expected to vote on the budget at 7 p.m. Dec. 17.