Municipal councillors in Antigonish Co. have held the line on taxes for another year.
Councillors passed their 2019-20 budget at May’s regular municipal council meeting Tuesday night.
The residential rate remains $0.88/$100 of assessment for the 11th year in a row; the commercial rate, the lowest in the province, also stays the same at $1.46/$100 of assessment.
After, Owen McCarron, the warden of the Antigonish Co., said they’re pleased with the $15.3 million budget.
“We’re able to do infrastructure, pay down debt within the municipality, and also offer services and programs,” he said. “That’s something this council has strived to do for a long time.”
McCarron said maintaining low tax rates makes it affordable for people to come to the area.
Councillors raised their low income assistance threshold as part of their new budget- it’s up to $27,000 per household from $25,000.
McCarron said the increase will help.
“There’s lots of people on marginal incomes, and obviously it’s important to give them a little lift,” he said. “When people are under that threshold of $27,000 and they can receive a little bit of relief from their tax bill, it helps to go, maybe, toward food or whatever.”
The municipality’s low income exemption is also up to $150 from $125.
