Operating and Capital Budget 2012/13
Council Sets 2012/13 Tax Rates
Berwick Town Council reduced both the residential and commercial tax rates by 2.9 cents at their May 8, 2012 meeting. Although the rates were reduced, existing services are not affected and several new initiatives were introduced that will benefit the town now and stabilize the budget for many years to come.
The residential tax rate was reduced from 1.620 cents to 1.591 cents, and the commercial rate was reduced from 3.909 cents to 3.880 cents. All rates are billed at $100 per assessed values.
The Proposed 2012/13 Operating and Capital Budgets was presented to Council on Tuesday, April 10, 2012.
Copies of the approved budget are available at the town hall soon or can be downloaded here:
2012/13 - Town of Berwick - Approved Budget (2.02 MB)
The budget sets forth a strategic resource allocation plan that is aligned with community goals, preferences and needs and acts as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communication device for Council and residents. The following guideleines were paramount in this year's budget presentation:
• keep tax rates competitive
• include a proactive infrastructure funding plan into the base budget
• amend the sewer rate based on base budget needs
• include the funding for the current year capital plan and present the five year capital forecast
Overall, approved expenditures are shown as $3,761,400. The approved budget maintains existing service levels, funds the current year capital budget while setting up future funding for the five-year capital plan, and funds new services or items, including:
• purchase of banners for lampposts along Commercial Street,
• drilling a well new at Rainforth Park
• flooring and painting improvements to the town hall
• additional contributions to town reserves (to provide for rate stability) and to phase II of the Kings Century Mutual Centre
Also approved by Council was the 2012/13 Capital Budget with total expenditures of $2,246,600; projects for the current year include:
• the Smart Community Initiative, a phased approach to provide wireless access to residents
• a required tanker fire truck to replace an older vehicle
• public works tractor replacement
• new and improved signage on Hwy 101 and within town
• the balance of the needed upgrades at the sewer treatment plant
Council also received the following presentations regarding the budget which can be found here:
Budget Presentation - April 24, 2012 (565.33 kB)
Budget Presentation - April 10 2012 (725.26 kB)
2012/13 - Budget Presentation - May 8, 2012 (375.96 kB)
Questions or queries regarding the budget can be submitted to the Finance Department:
By phone:
Greg Towne, Director of Finance - 538-4014
By email:
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You can also contact any Councillor - click here for their contact information - or come into the Town Hall at 236 Commercial Street.
On February 27, 2012 an Economic and Budget Update was presented to Council, highlighting challenges and opportunities for the upcoming year and providing a preliminary budget forecast.
You can download the presentation here -
Economic and Budget Update - February 2012 (456.47 kB)
Please contact Greg Towne if you have any questions of comments.
Budget Schedule
Tuesday April 10, 2012 - Budget presented at Council meeting and to public. Presentation only - no deliberations.
Tuesday April 24, 2012 - Public input and budget deliberations.
Tuesday May 8, 2012 - Budget deliberations and approval - set tax rates.