Back to SearchDIEPPE, NB – Dieppe City Council adopted its 2018 operating budgets totalling $66.8 million during its regular public meeting held on December 11. Of this amount, $54.1 million will go toward the general operating budget while $12.7 million will go toward the water and sewer budget.
Capital spending budgets were also passed at the meeting: $11.9 million for the general capital budget and $3.1 million for the water and sewer capital budget.
The tax rate increase will be one percent, which is $1.6295 per $100 of appraisal. For the average house in Dieppe valued at $185,000, the property tax will increase from $2,996 to $3,015, an increase of $19 annually. The water and sewer bill will see a $12 increase from $916 up to $928.
“Major projects planned for the coming years, such as the replacement of the Centenaire Arena, the new RCMP station, the holding of the 2021 Jeux de la Francophonie, and the fact that no major loans will disappear before 2021 all require us to be careful,” explains Mayor Yvon Lapierre.
“We are therefore continuing in the same vein as last year by proposing a property tax increase of one percent to reduce our debt ratio, create reserves for these future projects, and reduce the impact on our residents in the medium term. We also made sure to limit our borrowings to $1.5 million, as specified in our financial plan that will be adopted in January.”
Mayor Lapierre also explains that the arrival of the new school located at the end of Dieppe Boulevard has changed the municipality’s priorities. “Trails will be created near Belle-Forêt Street and Melanson Road to provide a safe space for students to walk. To achieve this, we have reduced the budget for the 2018 asphalt preservation program.”
“Several road works are planned, such as the repair of Industrial Street and the extension of Collège and Alain-Gillette Streets. We are also increasing the hours of operation of the bus service, with 2,000 additional hours.”
General operating budget
Revenue sources:
Property taxes $49.4 M
Community funding equalization grants $1.1 M
Other sources $3.6 M
TOTAL $54.1 M
Distribution of expenses:
Administration 7.1%
Assessment costs 1.1%
Police 10.1%
Fire 11.1%
Water 2.9%
Transportation 9.9%
Other public safety 6.8%
Communications 1.6%
Leisure 14.2%
Municipal buildings and environment 4.4%
Financial services 15.6%
Operating capital 8.1%
Engineering 4.6%
Reserve 2.5%