Budget 2017 Decreases 2.58%; Includes Mill Rate Reduction
Today, the City of St. John’s released the details of Budget 2017, the second year in a three-year budget plan.
“Revenues and expenditures are balanced at $294.4 million for 2017, a 2.58 percent decrease over 2016,” said Councillor Jonathan Galgay, Chair of the Standing Committee on Finance. “Following an intensive program review process in which the City identified $13 million in operational efficiencies, we are now able to offer residents and business owners a reduction on their taxes.”
Mill rates will drop .5 mills for both residential and commercial properties, bringing 2017 rates to 7.3 mills for residential and 24.7 mills for commercial.
In addition water taxes for residents will drop by $50 from $630 to $580 and commercial water usage rates will drop by 7. 9%.
“The impact of the new mill and water rates will be a reduction in municipal taxes for all property owners,” explained Councillor Galgay. “These combined tax reductions will offset most of the tax increase residents encountered in Budget 2016.”
Key themes in Budget 2017 include efficiency, seeking new sources of revenue, maintaining core services and helping to stimulate the economy, where possible.
“Throughout 2016, Council and staff have been focused on engaging with the public and key groups to collaborate on improving operational planning,” said Mayor Dennis O’Keefe. “The budget presented today reflects the feedback we have been given – both good and bad – and demonstrates our commitment to being as effective and efficient as possible.”
Budget 2017 includes an announcement that the City will begin the process towards automated garbage collection, with the purchase of new equipment and vehicles in 2017. Details of the program will be announced following public consultations. The program will include a recovery fee for bins, similar to the programs in other regional municipalities.
All Budget 2017 documents and descriptions are available on the city’s website, at https://www.stjohns.ca/living-st-johns/your-city/budget-information.
Media Contact:
Kelly Maguire
Media Relations
City of St. John's
709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca