St. Andrews again able to hold the line on taxes - Dec. 15, 2009
By BARB RAYNER
barbrayn@nbnet.nb.ca
ST. ANDREWS – For the 10th year in a row, residents of St. Andrews will not be facing an increase in their tax rate.
The rate will remain at $1.097 per $100 of assessment in 2010.
Town council approved the budget at a special meeting Monday night, having held a public presentation of the proposed budget Thursday evening.
Mayor John Craig congratulated town council on ensuring that the tax rate remained unchanged once again and said there were many reasons why it had been held, including great management from department heads right up to the town manager.
Assessments have increased due to growth and new construction, he said, and the town must continue to grow so it can maintain the services without raising the tax rate.
Another reason the tax rate has been maintained, the mayor said, is town councils that have not got into the habit of tax and spend.
“Anybody can raise taxes,” Craig said. “It takes a dedicated team of people working for you to ensure that does not happen. Raising taxes hurts small business, young families and those on fixed incomes and we must stay vigilant to make certain we continue to move forward and, at the same time, live within our means.”
Highlights of the 2010 budget include a new $252,000 fire truck, with much of the money - $150,000 – coming from the Sir James Dunn Foundation, the mayor said. He thanked the foundation for that much-needed assistance and he went on to thank the town’s dedicated volunteer firefighters.
Another new vehicle will be a five-ton dump truck with a plough for the public works department, the mayor said Mayor Craig. Storm management will be a priority for the town in 2010, he said.
Another priority is the $3-million project at the sewage lagoon, with $2 million coming from the Build Canada Fund, he said.
Seawall replacement will continue as a priority next year, he said, with the town investing another $100,000, and there will also be work done on the town wharf.
Mayor Craig also referred to the Atlanticade Festival, which will be held in the town from June 30 to July 4. He said this one event has the potential to put $3 million back into the Charlotte County economy.
“As a town we are excited and thrilled to be hosting this event and will be supporting it to ensure that this becomes an annual event. This will give a much-needed boost to the local economy at a time when it needs it.”
Councillor Roger McNabb, chair of the finance and administration committee, who presented the budget, said St. Andrews continues to have one of the lowest tax rates in the province, which is an accomplishment they are all proud of.
“This is not to say that we will not see an increase in revenues,” McNabb said. “Our assessment growth rate has slowed to below the provincial average, but our new construction is strong, so, combined, we will realize an additional $127,643 in tax revenues.”
The 2010 budget will be the catalyst for aggressive steps toward fulfilling council’s long-term strategic plan by implementing projects in storm water management, water system infrastructure, environmental importance and amenities for residents, he said.
This budget will also help give the town staff the manpower and equipment to respond to the changing service needs of the residents McNabb said.
The total budgeted revenues for 2010 will be $3,472,854, compared with $3,435,183 for 2009.
Highlights of the 2010 budget include $115,000 to pave selected streets; $600,000 for a new access road between Route 127 and Brandy Cove Road; $65,000 to replace the sidewalk between Edward and Elizabeth Streets; $50,000 for storm water upgrades on Diana Drive and Charlotte Street; and $100,000 to complete the refurbishment of the seawall at the end of Patrick Street.
The new tennis court will be completed at a cost of $32,000 and this money is from a Canada/New Brunswick recreational grant.
At the wharf, $70,000 had been budgeted to dredge the area around the finger piers, $20,000 to replace 10 pilings – the first phase of a five-year project – and $30,000 to carry out repairs to the approach structure.
To address accessibility issues at the Ross Memorial Library, $5,000 has been budgeted, while $3,000 has been budgeted for roof replacement at the Ross Memorial Museum.
Energy efficiency upgrades to the W.C. O’Neill Arena have been budgeted at a cost of $150,000 and work will also begin on the installation of a sprinkler system.
The sum of $100,000 has been budgeted to add three bays to the public works garage and refurbish the entire exterior of the building and roof.
Town hall will get a $30,000 facelift at the town hall that will also include making the office wheelchair-accessible.
Also included in the budget is $10,000 each for renovations to the medical centre and the arena front area space.
Dealing with the water and sewer operating fund, McNabb said St. Andrews currently has the lowest minimum water rate of $100 semi-annually, but this will rise in 2010 to $110, which is still well below the provincial norm. Regular water/sewer rates will rise by five cents per 1,000 gallons.
Included in the budget for 2010 is $3 million for the replacement of the sewage lagoon at Indian Point; $350,000 for the installation of a storm water line on William Street; $220,000 to complete the water and sewer refurbishment of Augustus Street and $50,000 to replace a section of storm sewer waterline on Princess Royal Street.
McNabb said funding for these projects is being accomplished through operating funds, long-term borrowing, the Canada/New Brunswick Infrastructure Fund, reserves and the municipal gas tax funds.
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