Cumberland Council Says No New Taxes
Cumberland County Council began the thorny debate on the 2020/21 budget last night. It was just a discussion to give staff direction on the number crunching but it hit a nerve.
The Director of Finance told council the first round showed a budget shortfall of 1.2 million and Andrew MacDonald asked for feedback.
Speaking by telephone in the council’s first teleconference since in-person meetings were banned, the councillors were in unison that now is not the time to raise taxes.
Council directed some concern to the hefty bills that residents of Parrsboro might face as a result of an extension and updates to water and sewer services. The council chamber filled with irate taxpayers from that community last year when news broke of possible invoices around $800 on each account.
Council is looking at ways to offset some of the burden for Parrsboro residents. A number of councillors favoured a proposal to have 50 percent of the cost spread among all county taxpayers. However, response from the former town suggests the burden would still be too great for businesses and for landlords who rent to low and fixed income residents.
Norm Rafuse, the councillor for the district urged council to consider bearing 75 percent of the load, something that residents felt they could handle. He was also concerned that a decision might be made with no community input. The current restriction on in-person meetings would deny a public hearing and Rafuse wants to ensure the people have a say.
Don Fletcher, the councillor in the neighbouring district, pointed out that the province announced this week that it would assume 100 percent of needed work in the Cape Breton Regional water and sewer facilities. Fletcher urged council to demand similar treatment in Cumberland.
While most councillors tended to favour the 50 percent plan, they all seemed to agree that Parrsboro needs attention. They approved the purchase of the former CIBC building as a replacement for the former town hall which has largely been condemned. The bank building will be renovated to become the municipality’s Parrsboro Service Centre.
The Director of Finance was directed to find ways to cut spending and balance the budget while looking for ways to cushion the impact on Parrsboro.
It was just the opening volley in a process that will extend through a number of meetings and into May.
Meanwhile, council approved their capital budget of 4.4 million for the year after it was noted that most of that cost is covered by other levels of government.
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