MID Ulster District Council has agreed a domestic rates increase of 7.3 percent in what has been described as the "most difficult" period for rate setting in over 20 years.
The increase was agreed following a meeting of the council on Monday evening, meaning average household ratepayers will pay an extra 62p per week on the council portion of their rates bill.
A non-domestic rate increase of 4.32 percent was also agreed by councillors.
The local authority's head of finance, JJ Tohill, told councillors that the rate was being struck in "unprecedented times".
"I have been involved in the striking of rates with council since 1999, so I have seen a lot of turbulence. But this is by far and away the most difficult, because the cost-of-living crisis, the global energy crisis and the high levels of inflation are unprecedented in my experience," he said.
Following the meeting, independent councillors Dan Kerr and Barry Monteith issued a joint statement saying they opposed the increase as it would mean the cutting of "services like grass cutting, grants and closing some recycling centres such as Coalisland".
They added: "We voted against this. Our proposal to adjourn the meeting for one week to seek legal advice and to make it clear that ordinary people shouldn't have to pay to for a cost of living crisis caused by the political and financial elite was also voted down."
A council spokesperson said after the meeting it had kept the increase below inflation despite facing "extreme financial pressures" in the year ahead.
"A proposed mix of savings, efficiencies, and increased income generation of approximately £4.75M has been identified to offset the additional costs and minimise the impact on ratepayers," they said.
Meanwhile, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has agreed a 5.99 percent domestic rates increase.
This will amount to an extra £33.05 annually to the rates bill of a property valued at £133,000
Council chairperson, the SDLP's Michael Savage said the rise "reflects the difficult situation we as a local authority are facing" and said the reduction of the Rates Support Grant from Stormont's Department for Communities was "disappointing".
"Increased energy bills and increases in staff wages following local and national pay agreements are contributing factors, and over all we are facing increased costs of £11 million in the coming financial year," Mr Savage added.
