The Courier Editorial Board As the budget season for municipalities gets underway, all to be settled before the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s a time to reflect but also to set a vision for the future. A budget is a defining document that sets out the dollars and cents for a municipality’s operations, […]
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The provincial government has shed a small light on the funding model that will become available to municipalities. Local Government Minister Aaron Kennedy tabled new amendments in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday to the Community Funding Act. It details the amounts of money that will be given out next year. It is part of a […]
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The provincial government intends to introduce legislation that would freeze real property assessment values. In a Tuesday release, the province said it would “help provide relief and predictability to New Brunswickers as work continues to overhaul the province’s property tax system.” The amendments would allow property assessments to remain at the 2025 level next year, […]
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Municipalities will see an additional $138 million in funding for 2026 as part of a new and long-awaited fiscal reform framework. While the legislation will be tabled in the spring, and no details were provided on where this money will come from, but it is expected the funding will grow to more than $188 million […]
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The Union of Municipalities in New Brunswick (UMNB) says that while it is encouraging to see the Liberal government commit to bringing a bill to the legislature on fiscal reform, municipalities will not receive much relief in the next year. Dan Murphy, UMNB’s executive director, said while money has been allocated for the first quarter […]
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New Brunswick local governments are in need of long-term sustainable funding, according to one municipal association. It is one of the five key priorities for the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick (UMNB) heading into the provincial budget. Brittany Merrifield, president of the association, said fiscal reform remains their number one priority again this year. “84 […]
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Saint Andrews council saw two of its councillors vote against the budget this year in a heated debate over fiscal responsibility. The budget, which has been discussed over a series of roughly six to eight meetings, was highly debated as the council looks to refurbish the wharf, begin to make payments on a new ladder […]
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The New Brunswick Liberal government is ready to get its mandate started, according to Premier Susan Holt. In a scrum with reporters, Holt confirmed she would repeal 84-20, which limits abortions in the province. It was something, she explained, is first on the agenda of the first caucus meeting scheduled for Nov. 4. “We have […]
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The municipal council is once again grappling with the difficult decision of setting the mill rate for the new amalgamated areas of Chamcook and Bayside – hoping to keep the rates fair and equitable. Recently, the town held a meeting with residents to explain the province’s model, which could have resulted in a nearly 19 […]
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Municipal council in Saint Andrews will face tough budget decisions this fall, according to Mayor Brad Henderson. The budget process for the municipality has just begun, but an initial presentation by chief administrative officer Chris Spears shows increases across much of the operational departments – mainly tied to inflation – with the utility budget and […]
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