The Central Voice took a look at the upcoming budgets for some communities across the region and what’s in store for the new year:
SPRINGDALE, N.L.
Population: 2,971
In maintaining and enhancing infrastructure and services in Springdale, the municipality brought down its largest budget to date, with total expenditures for 2019 set at $3,058,497.28, up 3.3 per cent over the previous year.
However, Springdale’s projected revenue won’t cover the cost of what the town is looking to spend, even though 2019 projections place revenue at $2,983,568.54, up more than $61,000 over the previous year, and includes a 6.50 mill rate, an increase of 0.25 mills according to Mayor David Edison.
To make up the difference, a $74,929.28 surplus from previous years is being used to balance the budget.
But Edison is pleased with the budget, as it will be used to carry out upgrades to municipal infrastructure which includes the public works building, George Huxter park, and road work.
“We have about $400,000 earmarked for our own capital spending, besides some 90-10 cost shared side street projects we’ll hopefully be doing over the next 12 months,” he said.
GANDER, N.L.
Population: Approximately 12,000
Residents and businesses, which supply the bulk of Gander’s revenue stream, will have to dig a little deeper in 2019.
The two tax brackets make up 84.7 per cent of the town’s revenue stream, and have been subjected to tax increases to balance an operational budget of $17, 127,039, a four per cent increase of the last year.
As in previous years, payroll dominates expenditures, at 49.9 per cent.
To cover the budget, residential mill rates were increased from 6.77 to 6.95 mills, with water and sewer fees being increased by $20 to $430.
Commercial mill rates have been increased from 6.46 mills to 6.80 mills. The same as last year, the commercial water tax will be based on the established mill rate.
On par with last year, a $17,442,500 capital budget was also announced. While this includes regular maintenance, such as road work and equipment purchases. It also includes ongoing payments for the new waste water treatment facility, Steele Community Centre improvements, and investment in the multiplex and soccer/track facilities.
Mayor Percy Farwell said a council never takes joy in increasing taxes, but called it a necessary step in moving the town and its services forward.
“It can be easy to not have any tax increases, but to do that is going backwards,” he said.
BAIE VERTE, N.L.
Population: 1,305
Budget not available until Jan. 2019.
GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L.
Population: 14,171
Tax increases are coming down the pipe for residents of Grand Falls-Windsor, with an increase of $50 in the water and sewer tax rate for both residential and commercial properties, bringing the new total to $450, and an increase in the residential mill rate of 0.75 to 8.5 mills.
In her introduction to the budget, finance and administration committee chair Amy Coady-Davis says these increases were necessary to ensure the financial viability and sustainability of the town.
“We feel that this is the only way to continue offering our many services at a level we can remain proud of,” Coady-Davis said in her statement. “The tax increase for the average assessed property in Grand Falls-Windsor will be an increase of $190 (or $16 per month) for the 2019 year.”
For next year, the town is looking to acquire the former Abitibi lands, including the Grand Falls House, to go into the next phase of the Riverfront Development project. As well, the town plans to invest $10 million over the next two years for a new waste water treatment facility.
The town’s total budget was $19.9 million, an increase from their $18 million budget in 2018.
LEWISPORTE, N.L.
Population: 3,312
Council finance committee chair Derek White says Lewisporte will experience an increase in taxes in the 2019 budget with a new mill rate of 7.7, an increase of 0.7 mils.
This increase is due to a decline in property value for the town by 2.7 per cent.
“In our assessments the property values have dropped, so this increase will offset that so we can still do what we want to,” said White.
The town’s budget totalled $4,925,349, a decrease from their 2018 budget of $5,088,981.
As part of the budget, $136,000 is being invested into protective services including fire protection, emergency response and a disaster plan.
White says there are several capital works projects the town has in the works as well, including storm sewer upgrades to better protect areas at risk of flooding, as well as continuing curb and gutter upgrades, water and sewer upgrades, and road paving along areas like Harbourview Terrace, Pond Rd. and others. The town is also seeking funding to continue upgrades on Main St.
White says the town is also looking to bring an extension to the town’s fire hall in the early spring.
TWILLINGATE, N.L.
Population: 2,196
Twillingate town council approved a balanced budget of $2,636,743 – a three per cent increase from their 2018 budget.
Town manager Marie Magnin says with an increase in property value and business growth for the area, an increase in tax revenue allowed for some flexibility with the budget.
In their 2019 budget, the town plans to invest in a new town hall building, tourism infrastructure such as new hiking trails and a visitor centre, replace the town’s main waterline and assess the health of the town’s water tank, as well as two approved capital works projects for water/sewer extensions and road paving. These projects are expected to commence in the spring of 2019.
There are no changes in the mill rates for both residential and business properties in Twillingate.
Don't see your community here? Email us at [email protected] or call 709-290-0863 and we'll tackle your community's budget in 2019.
