POWYS County Council has voted to increase council tax by 2.99 per cent.
The increase means the average Band D property will see a 51 pence per week rise from £889.17 to £915.76 per year.
The figure does not include the precepts charged by Dyfed Powys Police and town and community councils.
Board member for Finance, Councillor Tony Thomas said: “This year’s budget proposals have been heavily influenced by the difficult economic environment faced by the county’s residents, businesses and the council itself.
“For the first time ever the county council has faced a reduction in the level of revenue funding from the Welsh Assembly, down more than £2.3m on last year, but the settlement was better than the Welsh average, a reflection of the cost of providing services in a large rural county.
“We have set out budget proposals that protect the level of essential services, particularly within adult and children social services, while recognising the financial challenges being faced by many households in the county.
“As far as possible we have attempted to make savings through efficiencies rather than reducing services. Where reductions have been needed we have taken into account the views we received during last year’s extensive budget consultation with residents.”