The outlying communities in Greater Saint John are not happy with new cost-sharing legislation introduced last week.
The changes would force the communities to pay for operating and capital costs for five of Saint John’s facilities, including TD Station and the Imperial Theatre.
Rothesay Mayor Nancy Grant says the surrounding municipalities who are impacted by the changed weren’t consulted.
“We had no say,” she said.
Grant says even with new numbers from the province, she’s unsure how the changes will impact future tax rates in Rothesay.
“The amendment now requires that capital and debt be paid in addition to operating costs. We are expecting that next year, our costs will probably significantly increase and may increase our tax rate,” she said.
Grant says they have already been paying their fair share of costs for the facilities.
“We have been paying into the operating costs for the regional facilities for 20 years. This year our portion was $427,000. In 2020 we have increased to $451,000, mainly because the city is starting to charge rent on the facilities,” she said.
Grant says the outlying communities wanted to be part of the discussion before the “Sustaining Saint John” report came out in July, but were left out.
“The surrounding Mayors, so Grand Bay-Westfield, St. Martins, Rothesay and Quispamsis did publicly ask last summer for a seat at this consultation table but we didn’t not receive an invitation to participate,” she said.
The legislation won’t impact 2020 budgets, but will come into effect next year. Saint John will start reaping the benefits in 2021.
