Budget 2012
October 18, 2011
The Town of Sackville invites residents to provide input into the 2012 budget development process. This website has been created to assist residents in providing input into the budget. It is an evolving site and more will be made available as the process moves along. We will do our best to add information based on citizens requests and suggestions, but confidentiality provisions and time may not allow every request to be met.
Meeting dates relating to the budget have not been set as of today and once known will be posted on this page and on the community calendar. We have also created an email address for you to submit any comments that you have relating to the upcoming budget. The email address is:
The first step in the 2012 budget process is a review of last year's plans and results and consideration of items that will cost more or where revenues will be less. Below you will find a copy of last year’s (2011) Operating Budget for General Budget and Utility (Water/Sewer) Budget and the previous year (2010) Audit for the Town of Sackville.
Some Background Points to Creating the 2012 Budget
The Town receives revenues from two main sources: municipal property taxes and the provincial unconditional grant. Other minor revenues are generated from a variety of other sources as described in the Budget and Audit.
The Town sets two Budgets – General (often known as the operating budget) and Utility (often known as water & sewer). It is important to note that the Town does not receive any Capital or Infrastructure revenue – capital projects are funded by borrowing and/or by using general revenue funds.
General Budget
For the General Budget the current tax rate is $1.5350 per $100 of property assessment. One cent in the property tax rate is equal to approximately $53,000 in revenue for the Town.
In the Utility (Water and Sewer) Budget the current combined water and sewer rate is $2.10 per cubic meter with a quarterly minimum bill of $63.00. For every 1% increase or decrease in water/sewer rates the Town would generate or reduce its total revenue by $12,000.
There are many things that we know of already heading into the 2012 Budget. Some of these are as follows:
General and Utility (Water/Sewer) Operating
Unconditional Grant is expected to drop by 2% from prior year ($10,000)
Cost to re-implement the Town doing the Summer Program instead of this staying with Mount Allison University would be $40,000 increase over last year
Policing Costs Expected to rise approximately 3% ($40,000 increase)
Garbage Contract renewal for residential properties will result in an increase of $37,000 per year for the next seven years
Assessment Increases will likely be minimal as a result of the Cap on Property Assessments. It is estimated assessment growth in Sackville will be about 1.5% which would bring in additional revenue of $120,000 based on the current tax rate.
Electricity & Telephone costs expected to rise in 2012 ($10,000)
Staff Salaries and Benefit Costs will increase by 2.25% in 2012 ($60,000)
Water/Sewer Revenue collected annually continues to come in lower than expected by approximately 5% of the total budget.
Capital Projects
Like nearly all municipalities in Canada, Sackville has a great deal of old infrastructure (roads, water and sewer pipes) and does not have the long term financial ability to replace it all.
Regulations to change the quality of water released from sewage plants is expected to be passed in the near future. The two sewage treatment facilities will need upgrading to meet the new law.
Total Capital Expenses are currently estimated for the 2012 Budget year to be between $750,000 and $1,000,000 for General Capital Projects and between $300,000 and $500,000 for Utility Capital Projects.
Cost of Resurfacing 1km of Road in Town is between $100,000 to $150,000.
The cost of 1 km of complete road Street Reconstruction (replacement of aged pipes and road bed) is between $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 in which 2/3 of this is General Expenses and 1/3 of this is water and sewer expenses. There are many roads requiring complete reconstruction.
The Fire Department Snorkel Truck used to fight fires for larger buildings is in need of replacement at an approximate cost of $1,000,000
Rescue Vehicle Replacement at a cost of approximately $350,000
Park Improvements continue to be required (playgrounds, waterfowl park, etc)
Long Term plans require a new well to be developed in the Town’s water shed area. This project continues to move forward.
Sewer Renewals continue to be required throughout the Town. The highest priority project is replacement of a main trunk line from Lorne Street to Charles Street at a cost of approximately $350,000
Some Questions to Consider:
Council has adopted a sustainable Sackville Plan. Should Council make this a priority by setting aside additional funds to move to support this?
Council has made Economic Development a priority. Should additional Funds be set aside for this?
Many wish Sackville to show fiscal restraint and would like to see a property tax decrease, where do you see service cuts being made and to what extent?
Council has financed the New Town building based on a reduction in future Capital being funded out of the Operating Budget and without a property tax increase directly related to this. Should this approach be kept?