Published: October 30, 2023 @ 8:10 p.m.
At a Special Council Meeting on October 30, 2023, Town Administration presented the proposed Grand Bay-Westfield 2024 Budget to Town Council.
The Town of Grand Bay-Westfield is currently collecting feedback from residents regarding the proposed 2024 Budget – see “how to submit feedback” details below.
The Town of Grand Bay-Westfield remains committed on our path towards building financial resiliency. This proposed 2024 Budget process, which began at the end of June, has included: Meeting with Department heads, reviewing Council’s Strategic Plan, Administration deliberations, and presentations from community groups requesting funding. Next steps include Council’s approval of the 2024 Budget on November 14, followed by the Town submitting the Budget to the Province on November 15.
The Town of Grand Bay-Westfield continues to be fiscally responsible, however, we continue to experience external and internal financial pressures including inflation, cuts to grant funding, as well as moving snow and ice control operations to an in-house model. While snow and ice control costs are seeing a significant increase, that increase is much lower than remaining with a contracted service.
As a result of fiscally responsible choices, based on Council’s Strategic Plan, Administration was able to present a proposed 2024 Budget with a tax rate of $1.31 for Ward 1. For Ward 2, a tax rate of $0.6759 was developed as a result of provincial regulations.
The 2024 Sewerage Utility Budget was also presented with a recommended annual user rate of $370. 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 Administration presented the following recommendations:
That the Council of the Town of Grand Bay-Westfield accept the proposed Operational Budget for 2024 as presented, pending confirmation of the cost of the RCMP and Ward 2 garbage collection – for a tax rate of $1.31 for Ward 1, and $0.6759 for Ward 2; and
That the Council of the Town of Grand Bay-Westfield accept the proposed Capital Budget of $1,810,000 for 2024; and
That the Council of the Town of Grand Bay-Westfield accept the proposed Sewerage Budget for 2024 as presented, with a user rate of $370.
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, 2023 for decision.
PROPOSED 2024 BUDGET
The Special Council meeting of October 30 can be viewed on the Town’s YouTube channel HERE.
To view the proposed 2024 Budget presentation in PDF format, visit HERE.
HOW TO SUBMIT FEEDBACK
By email, to the attention of:
John Enns-Wind
Chief Administrative Officer
Town of Grand Bay-Westfield
Email: administration@towngbw.ca
In writing (delivered to the Town Office), to the attention of:
John Enns-Wind
Chief Administrative Officer
609 River Valley Drive
Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (excluding holidays)
DEADLINE FOR FEEDBACK
Monday, November 6, 2023 at 12:00 Noon.
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.
Stay Informed
Follow the Town of Grand Bay-Westfield on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) or visit www.grandbaywestfield.ca
