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. A mill generates $1 in tax for every $1,000 of a property’s assessed value.

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 seven-year capital improvement plan the township is implementing.

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

He said the township’s stormwater system will need about a half dozen catch basins — which cost about $1,000 each — replaced, and it also needs hundreds of feet of pipes replaced.

The proposed 2016 stormwater budget is $20,000. The current stormwater budget is $8,000.

The proposed equipment maintenance budget is $20,000. The current amount is $10,000, but Hartwig said the township has spent $15,000 on maintenance so far this year.

“With aging equipment, it is to be expected,” Hartwig said.

The township plans to buy a hydraulic truck conveyor and paver for about $13,000.

Township Supervisor Mike Robb said the plan is important for the township.

“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.”

He said the plan and tax increase will be able to sustain the township for the life of the plan without another increase, all while putting money into savings. Without it, he said the township’s financial situation would be akin to living paycheck-to-paycheck.

“We had to make this move,” Robb said.

The current budget is $616,000.

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