Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Bridgewater: Deputy Mayor Looking To Reduce Special Tax Rate

Bridgewater's deputy mayor wants to reduce the special tax rate. Councillors reviewed their draft budget for the upcoming year on Monday night. The town is proposing an operating budget of $18.5-million and a capital budget of $3.3-million. It also includes holding the line on residential and commercial tax rates, and a 15 per cent increase in the sewer rate. The town is also dealing with $2.2-million in new debt to pay for things like new LED streetlights. Bill McInnis says he would like to see the special tax rate cut from eight cents to four cents.



The special tax rate was put in place to repay $5-million that the town borrowed for the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. Town council will further debate the budget on April 22. It is expected to approve its final budget on April 28.