The Town of Bay Roberts has adopted its 2013 municipal operating budget.
At its regular council meeting on Dec. 11, Mayor Philip Wood presented what he called a “good budget,” and one that will be “well-received” by the residents of the Conception Bay North community.
When the ledger had been balanced, Bay Roberts saw an increase of roughly half a million dollars, going from $6.7 million to $7.3 million.
The highlight of the budget was undoubtedly the drop of the town’s mill rate from 8.75 to 7, a lowering of 1.75.
With Bay Roberts growing exponentially, the town’s municipal assessments rose in 2012 by an average of 51 per cent for residential properties and 15 per cent for commercial properties, Wood said it was necessary for the town to look at helping out its citizens financially.
“It was done to soften the blow, so-to-speak,” said Wood.
Other aspects of the budget addressed some of the town’s infrastructure and capital works needs.
“We have a lot of aging equipment,” said Wood. “Some of our equipment is some 20-plus years old.”
The mayor said council is pleased with the budget.
“The future looks extremely bright for the town,” he said.
Here are some of the other highlights from the 2013 budget:
• No increase in business tax rates;
• No increase in water and sewer taxes;
• Funds allocated for the purchase of a second excavator and float, a new sweeper attachment and a new dump truck;
• Firefighter remuneration jumping from $20,000 to $30,000;
For complete coverage of the Bay Roberts 2013 municipal operating budget, see the Dec. 18 print edition of The Compass.
nmercer@cbncompass.ca
