Grand Bay-Westfield council has given its final approval of the town’s proposed budget for 2023.
But unlike previous years, council members will not get the last say on the $7.6-million budget.
CAO John Enns-Wind said because the town is amalgamating with part of the local service district of Westfield West, it will be up to the local government minister to approve the budget.
“The [chief financial officer] and I are reasonably confident that our budget follows all of the rules as mandated by the province, however, the minister may decide otherwise,” Enns-Wind told council at this week’s meeting.
The budget proposes reducing the property tax rate for current town residents (Ward 1) by around two cents to $1.35 per $100 of assessed value.
Final figures for those living in the portion of the Westfield West LSD that is amalgamating with Grand Bay-Westfield (Ward 2) are pending details from the Local Governance Reform Transition Facilitator.
In a news release earlier in November, the town said it continues to experience external and internal financial pressures, in part due to high inflation levels.
The town expects to pay an additional $75,000 in Fundy Regional Service Commission costs in 2023.
And transitioning to in-house snow and ice clearing operations will cost an extra $160,000 next year.
“The alternative of remaining with contracted service would have seen an increase of $411,000 above 2022 costs,” said the release.
Council also recommended the province approve its capital budget valued at nearly $2.5 million.
That is much higher than the roughly $1 million the town usually spends on capital expenditures.
Enns-Wind said about $1.5 million has been set aside to acquire equipment for snow-clearing operations.
“Some of that equipment will be brand new, some of that equipment will be new to us. We’re purchasing a building with that that comes with tools for maintenance and such,” he said.
Council is also recommending an annual sewer sewerage rate of $350, an increase of just under eight per cent.
Sewerage rates are proposed to increase in each of the next few years, reaching $413 by 2028.
“When we do finally meet our targets, we’re still going to be probably the lowest utility rate in the region. However, for the long-term sustainability, we need the resources to help finance future capital,” said Enns-Wind.
Mayor Brittany Merrifield said she feels like the budgets reflect the direction that council wants to go.
“We had a really robust budget process. We had our public budget presentation and a call for public consultation,” said Merrifield.
All three recommendations passed by council have been sent to Local Government Minister Daniel Allain for approval.
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