Councillors in the Municipality of the District of Guysborough have started work on their new budget.
Warden Vernon Pitts says it’s no secret they’ve taken a $3 million hit in commercial property taxes the last number of years, largely due to the wind-down of the Sable Offshore Energy Project.
After February’s regular municipal council meeting Wednesday afternoon, Pitts said they’re still very comfortable.
“We have a plan in place- it’s a five-year plan, (and) I believe we’re starting into year number four,” he says. “Things are working out well- as long as we stick to the plan, I think we’re going to weather this alright.”
Pitts said there may be a very minimal tax increase as part of the 2021-22 budget.
He said they’ll still have the lowest tax rate in the province.
“We’re not looking at any major tax increases or anything going forward,” he said. “We just went through our preliminary budget meeting planning session here at the (Chedabucto Lifestyle Complex) a number of weeks ago.”
Pitts said they hope to pass the budget at March’s regular council meeting, or shortly after.
Fin Armsworthy, the councillor for District 8 (Canso-Tickle), says he’s opposed to any potential increase to the municipality’s tax rates.
