Published: November 2, 2022 @ 9:15 p.m.
At a Special Council Meeting on November 2, 2022, Town Administration presented the proposed 2023 budget to Town Council.
The Town of Grand Bay-Westfield continues to be resilient and fiscally responsible, however, the Town continues to experience external and internal financial pressures as we provide required services to the community. Inflation is impacting everyone, including municipalities. Examples include:
– In 2023, the Town expects an increase in Fundy Regional Service Commission costs of an additional $75,000.
– The Town will also see an annual increase of $160,000 for snow control by transitioning snow and ice control in-house. The alternative of remaining with contracted service, would have seen an increase of $411,000 above 2022 costs.
On January 1, 2023, as part of the provincial Local Governance Reform process, the new local government of Grand Bay-Westfield will be formed. It will include the current Town of Grand Bay-Westfield (Ward 1) and a portion of the Local Service District of Westfield West (Ward 2) focused on areas along and off Brittain and Campbell Road.
As a result of fiscally responsible choices, based on Council’s Strategic Plan, Administration was able to present a proposed 2023 budget with a reduction in its tax rate. The 2023 recommended tax rate for Ward 1 is $1.35
Final figures for the Ward 2 tax rate are pending details from the Local Governance Reform Transition Facilitator.
The 2023 sewerage utility budget was also presented with a recommended annual user rate of $350. As a self-funded utility (by legislation), Administration highlighted the importance of ensuring the utility has operating and capital reserves for future operations and maintenance.
Town Council approved the following Motion: That the Council of the Town of Grand Bay-Westfield refer the presentation to the Council Meeting of November 14, 2022 for their decision.
The Special Council Meeting of November 2 can be viewed on the Town’s YouTube channel here.
To view the proposed 2023 budget presentation in PDF format, visit here.
Questions, comments or concerns related to the proposed 2023 budget may be sent to the following contacts prior to Monday, November 7 at 12:00 noon.
Ward 1 (Current Town of Grand Bay-Westfield)
John Enns-Wind, Chief Administrative Officer
Town of Grand Bay-Westfield
Email: administration@towngbw.ca
Ward 2 (Portion of the Local Service District of Westfield West focused on areas along Brittain and Campbell Roads)
Bill Thompson, Local Governance Reform Transition Facilitator
Email: Bill.Thompson@gnb.ca
Town Contact Information
Phone: (506) 738-6400 (Option 3 for after-hours urgent matters)
Email: administration@towngbw.ca
In-person: 609 River Valley Drive, Monday to Friday (excluding holidays), 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Register for Grand Bay-Westfield Emergency Alerts
The Town of Grand Bay-Westfield encourages residents to register for the emergency alert system (CodeRED by OnSolve). This is to ensure that the Town can notify residents in the event of emergency situations or critical community alerts. To register, visit here.
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