HomeMy Public PortalAbout2020-04-03_Highlights 2020-21 Budget_FINAL
This year, Council’s priorities reflect infrastructure upgrades and long-term planning,
community support, and open space planning.
The Budget supports these priorities by investing in key capital projects, supporting service
enhancements, building reserves, and maintaining funding for critical programs.
• Operating Budget is $26,775,296, excluding depreciation.
• Capital Budget is $6,643,500.
• Residential/Resource tax rates hold at $0.705/$100.
• Commercial tax rate holds at $1.53/$100.
• Solid Waste rate holds at $0.1205/$100.
• Universal annual sewer charge increases by $10 to $630 per EDU.
Service enhancements
• Shared services initiative with Mahone Bay, the Town and District of Lunenburg for
building and inspection services so that Inspectors can respond to clients in any
municipality.
• Wastewater Needs Assessment that will consider growth and expansion, potential
relocation, and system capacity.
• Coastal floodplain modelling will help identify potential damage from coastal flooding.
Infrastructure
• Lift station panel and clarifier upgrades, refurbishing and replacing components.
• Pump replacements, replacing one every year.
• Equipment investments at pump stations, installing permanent generators in Western
Shore and Chester.
• Mill Cove (Aspotogan Ridge) wastewater collection extensions.
• Chester Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades, including UV system and chlorine
removal.
• Bridge evaluation at Goat Lake in East River to identify work required.
• Trail improvements including surface upgrades in Chester Basin and East Chester, new
foot bridge and trail head parking expansion in East River.
• Leachate treatment plant upgrades, road improvements, equipment replacement, and
scale house renovations for Kaizer Meadow.
• Boat launch or wharf upgrades in Aspotogan.
Community investment
• Grants to organizations
• Tax exemption/reduction program for non-profit organizations.
• J-class road rehabilitation in partnership with NS Dept of Transportation and
Infrastructure Renewal.
• Open Space Plan to develop and promote key public spaces in MOC.
• Active Living Strategy refresh this year to identify opportunities to improve quality of life
for residents.
• Accessibility planning for municipal physical and virtual infrastructure.
Economic development supports
• Sector strategy, phase two of three.
• Development of infrastructure plan for Kaizer Meadow EcoPark.
• High speed internet project support along with Federal, Provincial, and private sector
investments.
Financial stability
• Increasing reserves by $237,451.
• Implementing internal controls, such as audit tracking, reviewing security, purchase
order module, and financial report writer software.
• Developing a funding strategy and reviewing our Procurement Policy.
Required contributions towards provincial services equals $5.35 million:
• Education $ 5,093,419 2.7% increase from last year
• Corrections $ 234,295 0.5% decrease from last year
• Housing Authority $ 20,000 no change from last year
Municipal services provided by others equals $2.48 million:
• RCMP $ 1,846,082 1.0% increase from last year
• Assessment $ 354,714 1.0% increase from last year
• Library $ 85,700 24.2% increase from last year
• Provincial roads $ 196,746 2.2% increase from last year