Town Mayor Warns of COVID-19's Impact On Upcoming Budget

PORT HAWKESBURY - Even before the municipal budget for 2021-22 comes down later this spring, Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton is warning town residents that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a major bite out of town revenues, and every avenue - including modest tax increases - may be required to stem the tide of red ink.

The town's residential rate of $1.80 per $100 of assessment has not changed since 1987, and the commercial rate of $4.16 per $100 of assessment has remained stable for just over a decade.

However, in an April 7 interview with TELILE 24/7 host/producer Adam Cooke, Port Hawkesbury's mayor cautioned that strict social-distancing rules laid down by the Nova Scotia government since the pandemic arrived in the province 14 months ago have severely impacted the town's regular revenue streams.

As examples, Chisholm-Beaton pointed to rentals and bookings at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre, which has managed to stage minor hockey at its Veteran's Memorial Arena ice surface but has lost dozens of opportunities to stage entertainment events and host such events as provincial and regional conferences. Revenue is also down at the Civic Centre's fitness facility, which came under the ownership of independent operator Body 'N' Soul just before the third wave of the pandemic kicked in. 

While she is hopeful that tax hikes can be avoided, continuing a trend that dates back several years, Chisholm-Beaton is hopeful that Port Hawkesbury residents will be understanding of a process that is now largely out of the town's control. 

She also confirmed that a brief flirtation with holding hybrid-model council meetings will sit on the back burner for the time being, given the escalating COVID-19 case counts both in Nova Scotia as a whole and Port Hawkesbury and the Strait Area in particular.