No tax increase in 2010 for Port Elgin

The property tax rate within the village of Port Elgin remains the same as last year, with a small increase in the water and sewage costs.

At Monday's regular meeting, Port Elgin council brought down its budget for 2010 and, after a brief discussion, voted unanimously to accept the budget as presented.

The budget will be implemented pending approval from the provincial government, which is expected in the near future.

The municipal property tax rate for Port Elgin residents and businesses has been set at $1.2976 per one hundred dollars of property value, the same as that of 2009.

"Our tax rate remains the same as last year. We feel that holding the line on tax increases is important to our residents and to our businesses as well," said Mayor Judy Scott.

Port Elgin's 2010 budget was set at $413,894, up almost $32,000 from that of last year. Council cited continually rising operational costs as the reason for the increase.

Unconditional grant funding from the provincial government remained the same as last year, at $60,086.

The municipal tax base is calculated at $20,065,398; which translates to an almost $500,000 increase in the value of all taxable properties within the village

"There was an increase in property value, which is given to us by the provincial government and that is what we've used to calculate our budget," noted village clerk-treasurer Sonia Wells.

The warrant, which is the funds to be raised through local taxes, is projected at $260,355., up some $20,000 over last year.

Non-taxed village revenue, which includes services to other levels of government, various rentals, trailer park rental fees as well as interest on investments is projected at $125,266, an increase of $25,000 over 2009.

The village has realized a surplus from the second previous year, 2008 budget, giving it a $26,115 cushion for 2010.

"We have to calculate the surplus from the second previous year, as per the budget formula laid out by the provincial government. Because we had a surplus in 2008, it's brought forward in the 2010 budget," explained village clerk-treasurer Sonia Wells.

For the most part, projected expenses are up over those of 2009. Insurance fees rose $4,000 over last year due to an increase in the assessment of village buildings this year.

The cost of RCMP coverage for the village increased $2,000 and council added an additional $2,500 to its annual summer streets and roads maintenance budget.

Garbage collection will cost the village $3,000 more in 2010 and Port Elgin's contribution to the Tantramar Planning District Commission's annual budget increased by $2,000 to $6,794 over $5,612 in 2009 while the recreation department added $1,000, giving it a $8,500 budget for this year.

The Port Elgin Public Library budget dropped from $14,640 in 2009 to $13,140 with library manager Kate Grigg citing extensive renovations completed last year as the reason for the reduction in this year's budget.

The cost of interest for long-term loan repayment was up $6,000 for 2010 due to the cost of the village's new fire truck, however the village had a zero deficent left over from 2009.

The fire department budget increased nominally in 2010, from $81,774 in 2009 to $82,151 this year while the cost of snow and ice removal increased marginally for 2010.

Port Elgin's utility budget for 2009 was set at $74,565, down $35,000 from $109,172 in 2009.

The decrease was possible due to the surplus from the 2008 budget. Due to projected increased costs for maintenance, repair and replacement of one of the village's aging water lift stations, the annual cost of water and sewage services in the village has increased $11.36 to $252.48 for 2010.