Mahone Bay Taxes

An increase in the Mahone Bay's residential assessment means a decrease in tax rates. Overall assessments are up more than five percent to almost 107 million. Most homeowners will pay about the same tax bill as last year. Council was able to drop the residential tax rate down to a dollar 18 cents. Commercial rates increased by nine cents to 2.83 to cover the business occupancy tax phase out. Mahone Bay's budget this year is worth 1.96 million dollars.

Tax Rate Held

2009-06-03 06:08:51

Tax rates in Bridgewater are being held at the same level as last year.  Town council unanimously passed a budget last night keeping the residential rate at $1.628 and the commercial rate at $3.721 per one hundred dollars assessment.  Mayor Carroll Publicover says higher assessments and some department cost cutting helped them to achieve the status quo with rates.  Publicover says they are hoping to expand town services while keeping taxes in check.  The mayor says fortunately the province hasn't been as hard hit by the recession as other areas like Ontario.

Moved by Deputy Mayor Walker, seconded by Councillor Ritcey that Town Council for the Town of Bridgewater approve the 2009/2010 budget tabled as follows:                1.           the Capital Budget in the amount of $3,136,951, which is partially funded by borrowing $200,000 from the capital reserve fund to be repaid in equal annual payments over 10 years with interest paid annually at a rate of 6%;               2.           Operating expenditures in the amount of $16,347,022 which includes $404,948 Capital out of Revenue; $110,116 Transfer to Reserves; and $1,214,638 for Principal Repayment;               3.           the Operating Revenue of $16,347,022;               4.           Commercial Tax Rate including Business Occupancy Tax Rate to be set at $3.721 per $100 of the full assessed value of the property;               5.           Residential Tax to remain at $1.628 per $100 of the adjusted assessed value after cap;                6.           a special purpose parking tax for all commercial assessment in the parking services district as follows:                              i.             $0.0743 per $100 of the assessed value for all commercial property assessments except for those occupied by financial institutions; and                              ii.            $3.198 per $100 of the assessed value for commercial property assessments for those occupied by financial institutions; and               7.           the interest rate paid on reserves be set at 0%. And that the final tax bill will become due on Wednesday, September 30, 2009; and that the interest rate on overdue accounts be set at 12% per annum, charged at 1% per month.  Motion Carried.

Bridgewater Budget

2009-05-27 06:21:49

It's still not a done deal but Councillors did some bare bones cutting to the proposed Bridgewater budget Monday night. Mayor Carroll Publicover says all were in agreement that there be no increase in residential tax rates. Publicover says pre-approving previous requests has backed them into a corner in some ways. Council still has to finalize the amounts for the Grants to Organizations. A special Council meeting will be held next Monday night, June 1st when the final budget will be tabled and the tax rates set.

MODL Taxes

2009-05-01 06:52:29

The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is holding the line on its tax rates at 79 cents per $100 of assessment for residential and a $1.92 per 100 for commercial.  Mayor Don Downe says Council approved a good budget responsible to the needs of the municipality but which enables the municipality to move forward with the provision of services to the residents.  Highlights include a "Compassionate Tax Policy " to provide relief to low income property owners, a grant support staff position, investment in infrastructure at Osprey Village, promotion of active living and enhanced recreational opportunities, meeting environmental obligations and sustainability initiatives.

Slipped Up

2009-04-30 06:13:35

A slip on the ice ended up hurting in more ways than one for a Bridgewater man in his 60's.  Paramedics were called to the scene of a man who was lying on a path after slipping on an icy surface.  John William Godfrey was taken to his apartment and helped inside.  However, police were called to assist in locating Godfrey's medication.  They spotted a plastic bag of cigarettes on top of a microwave and Godfrey was charged with having unstamped tobacco product.  He was fined 500 dollars for having 148 illegal cigarettes.