HomeMy Public PortalAbout2010_06_09_2010-11 Budget_pdfPRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 10, 2010
2010/11 MUNICIPAL BUDGET FOCUSES ON SERVICE
MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF CHESTER - The Municipality of the
District of Chester Council approved their 2010/11 budget today. “Council
strives to balance our commitment to fiscal responsibility while maintaining
the delivery of high quality services to the community. I believe this budget
reflects that,” says Warden Allen Webber.
Both the Residential/Resource tax rate and the Commercial/Business
Occupancy tax rate will increase only slightly this year (2¢ over last year) to
balance the $19,513,648.00 Operating Budget. The Residential rate is set at
63¢/$100 of assessment, while the Commercial tax rate is $1.53/$100 of
assessment.
Staff originally presented Council with a 3¢/$100 residential tax increase, but
were directed by Council to cut back expenditures. After deliberating, a
revised budget was approved with a 2¢/$100 tax increase (a one-cent
reduction, which is equivalent to $100,000.00 in the Municipality of Chester).
“The decision to raise taxes was not taken lightly, but is necessary due to the
challenge of meeting rising costs. The increase seen in our tax rate is consistent
with other municipalities across the Region,” stated Warden Webber.
Some of the new initiatives supported by this year’s budget include a higher
level of local protective services by hiring a new RCMP Officer; hiring a
Planner to move forward with the implementation of the Integrated
Community Sustainability Plan; and addressing public concerns by bringing
a By-Law Enforcement Officer on board.
The Municipality is also being faced with an increase in Provincial financial
obligations. Almost 70% of the Municipality’s general tax revenues are given
to the Province to support costs associated with education, policing and
correction services, assessment services, roads, library and regional housing.
Of the total remaining, Administrative and Council expenses making up less
than 6.5%.
Since Business Occupancy taxes are being phased out, the Municipality will
see a loss of $47,000 in tax revenue. To offset this loss, a 2¢ tax increase in this
category (which is equal to $16,000 in increased revenue) has been coupled
with the decision to not hire an Economic Development Officer in favour of
finding an alternate, and more cost-effective, solution to delivering direct
services to the business community.
The 2010/11 Operating Budget projects a stable and optimistic year for the
Municipality of the District of Chester. “Despite the fiscal challenges, we are
confident that this budget supports the current high level of service the public
has come to expect from us,” says Warden Webber.
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CONTACT INFORMATION:
Warden Allen Webber
Municipality of the District of Chester
(902) 275-3554 phone (902) 275-4771 fax
awebber@chester.ca