Re:Taxation

In August 1996, the CBRM Council adopted the Planning Advisory Committee's report on a new Taxation approach for the Region.
  • The tax structure has a Base Rate, plus rates for services provided.
  • The tax structure is characterized by Urban, Suburban and Rural.
  • The tax structure incorporates Area Rating for services not reflected in the Base Rate.
  • Different rates for Residential and Commercial.
  • The tax structure implementation be phased in.

    Items which will be Area Rated are: Corporate Services and Administration Costs, Sewer, Fire Hydrants, Fire Protection and Transit. Items in the Base Rate are: Police, Curb and Gutter, Storm Drainage, Sidewalks, Roads, Street Lighting, Garbage Collection, Incineration/ Landfill, Recreation Programs, Parks and Grounds, Maintenance, Long-term Debt Retirement (Infrastructure programs, incinerator) Deficit Retirement (Annual Operating - C-200, Transit, Northside Industrial commission, Regional Incinerator).

    Myself and other councillors who were elected from Suburban and Rural Areas, feel there are too many items in the Base Rate - example: Sidewalks, Curb and Gutter, Garbage Collection, Storm Drainage, Ball Field Lighting. The reasoning we were given was that there was not enough time to put all the information data into the computer system, and that next year some of the items which are included in the Base Rate will be removed to show more appropriate picture of the Base Rate. Also included in the Base Rate is the Public Works Budget of approx. $14,000,000. It seems a small percentage of this is spent in the Suburban -Rural areas. Payment to the Dept. of Transportation for maintaining "J" Class roads, is approx. $724,000., plus approx. $500,000. for Bungalow Roads, Sidewalks and Unlisted Roads. The Base Rate is $1.299 - New Rate is phased in over 4 years. Depending on where you live you may pay extra for these services: .105 for Fire Protection, .206 for Sewer, .130 for Transit, .164 Hydrants. The Total Operational Budget is $86,962,676.00. Approximately $11,000,000.00 is for various debts (Infrastructure, C-200 and Other Long Term Debt). For every cent on the Tax Rate the CBRM raises approximately $500.00.

    The urban suburban rual plan for taxation has been approved and the tax rates have been set.

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