A big tax cut for some Grand Bay-Westfield residents while others will see an increase.
Council approved the town’s nearly $8.9-million budget for 2025 on Monday night.
Residents in Ward 1 will see their tax rate drop by six cents to $1.25 per $100 of assessed value.
The tax rate in Ward 2 — the former Westfield West LSD — will increase by 6.5 cents to 74.3 cents.
“The Town of Grand Bay-Westfield continues to be fiscally responsible, however, we continue to experience external and internal financial pressures including inflation, cuts to grant funding, as well as moving snow and ice control operations to an in-house model,” town staff said in a news release.
“While snow and ice control costs are seeing a significant increase, that increase is much lower than remaining with a contracted service.”
Grand Bay-Westfield saw its assessment increase by 10.6 per cent, or $63.5 million, over the past year.
Nearly 13 per cent of that is from new development while the remaining 87 per cent is from market adjustment, which the town said limits its revenue generation capacity.
While the tax rate is going down for the majority of residents in the municipality, the tax burden — or how much people pay in taxes — is set to increase by 6.6 per cent in 2025.
The town plans to spend nearly $4 million on capital projects in the upcoming year, which includes $1.5 million toward a new public works building for the community.
Other projects include upgrades to the Ferry Road and Nerepis Road intersection, a dock replacement at the Brundage Point River Centre and a new rescue boat for the fire department.
Meanwhile, residents on the town’s sewer system will see their annual user rate increase by $10, or 2.7 per cent, to $380.
You can find the full budget presentation on the town’s website
