C.B.S., Mount Pearl, and Paradise reveal 2018 budgets

Three “status quo” budgets hit council tables in Mount Pearl, Conception Bay South and Paradise Tuesday evening as municipalities await a potentially difficult year in 2019.

None of the three major municipalities increased the mill rate for residents or commercial users in their 2018 budgets, and each saw relatively minor increases in spending in the next fiscal year.

For C.B.S. Mayor Terry French, holding his town’s budget steady was the best choice heading into what could be a difficult fiscal year.

“The 2019 tax year could be significant. Just last week I was reading an article about how the average house is selling for about 10 per cent less today than it was in 2014, when the last assessment was done,” said French.

“Whether or not you can prejudge municipal assessments, that’ll give you some idea, I think. We’ll have to roll with the punches, whatever the assessments come in.”

French says C.B.S. will also see increased spending on sidewalks in the town, starting with the 1.6-kilometre zone surrounding schools.

The town will spend $1 million on streets and sidewalks, $550,000 of which will go to sidewalks.

C.B.S. is also introducing its automated waste collection program starting near the end of 2018, to be fully phased in over the next four years.

Mount Pearl also delivered a budget that keeps taxation rates the same.

Coun. Andrew Ledwell delivered the $58.2-million budget, which keeps spending roughly the same as in 2017. The mill rate for residents will remain even at 7.0, with the commercial mill rate steady at 12.0.

The city plans to spend $12.2 million on infrastructure improvements in 2018, for upgrades on Fourth Street, Glendale Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, Blackmarsh Road, Topsail Road, Second Street, Bradley Place, St. David’s Avenue, Sunrise Avenue, Dunn’s Road, and Roland Drive. In Paradise, Coun. Paul Dinn, finance committee chair, delivered a budget that keeps mill rates steady, but has a 2.4 per cent decrease in the town’s operating budget. The debt servicing ratio also dropped from 9.6 per cent in 2015 to 6.7 per cent for 2018.
One major point of spending for Paradise will be $1.5 million on a new roundabout at the intersection of Topsail Road and McNamara Drive.
In a news release, Mayor Dan Bobbett stated the town has a constant review process, looking for savings.
“Council believes in continually reviewing our operations and programs. It’s not just an exercise done at budget time,” Bobbett stated.

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C.B.S. budget at a glance:

Mill rates remain the same: 7.15 for residents, 11.5 for commercial

$38 million total spending, roughly same as last year.

$1 million spent on streets and roads, $550,000 going toward new sidewalks near schools

$3.8 million spent to provide 24-7 fire protection services

Automated garbage to launch in late 2018 and phased in over next four years

$4 million to be spent on water and sewer infrastructure

$25,000 going toward concept work for a town-owned, outdoor recreational area near Long Pond

$15,000 to establish a working group on an ATV trail project, to look at tourism and safety impacts

Continuation of tax breaks: 20 per cent tax break for senior citizens receiving a guaranteed income supplement

Senior citizens tax discount — up to $100 off annual tax bill

Low-income tax reduction: 10 per cent for low-income families

Mount Pearl budget at a glance:

Mill rates remain the same: 7.0 for residential, 12.0 for commercial

$58.2 million in total spending — roughly the same as last year

$12.2 million to be spent on infrastructure

Debt servicing ratio of 7.5 per cent

Capital project for sewer separation

Phase 2 of watershed management plan for Waterford River, in partnership with St. John’s and Paradise

Senior citizens’ 20 per cent tax discount continues

Playground upgrades coming for some of the 50 parks and playgrounds in the city

Regional service delivery costs down $618,000, due to leak-detection program

Interest exemption and tax deferral policy for low-income earners continues

Paradise budget at a glance:

Mill rates remain the same: 6.5 for residential, 11.5 for commercial

Total spending $35.7 million, down 2.4 per cent

Debt servicing ratio at 6.7 per cent, down from 9.6 per cent in 2015

$1.5 million for new roundabout at Topsail Road/McNamara Drive intersection

$2 million in infrastructure upgrades for Clearview Heights

$1.5 million for Phase 3 of Paradise Road upgrades

Infrastructure improvement fee down to $2,500 from $3,000 for residential and commercial builders

$500,000 for sporting associations to leverage more funding for recreational building improvements