Saint Andrews Council Focuses on 2025 Budget in Special Meeting

On November 12, 2024, the Town of Saint Andrews held a special council meeting at the WC O'Neill Arena Complex Council Chambers to discuss the 2025 budget. The meeting, recorded for broadcast by CHCO-TV, focused exclusively on budgetary matters, with all council members attending in person.

Assessment Growth Drives Revenue Projections

Chief Administrative Officer Chris Spear presented a staff report highlighting substantial growth in the town’s assessment base. Bayside and Chamcook saw an increase of $25.5 million, while Saint Andrews added nearly $41 million, bringing the total town assessment to approximately $726 million.

"The assessments came in a couple of weeks ago, and we have seen significant growth," Spear remarked, emphasizing that the proposed 2025 budget accounts for this increase.

The proposed budget outlines total revenues of $8,029,000, with balanced expenses. Property tax revenue is expected to grow by 3%, with mill rate adjustments designed to ensure fair contributions from taxpayers. "We aim to keep the property tax growth at 3% and adjust the mill rates accordingly," Spear explained.

Proposed Mill Rates and Community Impact

The council reviewed mill rate adjustments for different tax zones. Spear recommended a rate of $1.05 for Saint Andrews and $0.54 for Bayside and Chamcook. "We're finding a middle ground that is acceptable to the residents on both sides," he noted.

Council members expressed support for the proposal, highlighting its goal of achieving financial equity across the community.

Key Projects: Balancing Progress and Preservation

The council also debated a major infrastructure project: roadwork on Prince of Wales Street. The project, which includes widening the road and adding an active transportation lane, would take advantage of funding under an existing grant. However, concerns were raised about the potential loss of mature trees in the area.

"We must weigh the financial benefits of the grant against the impact on tree coverage," Spear stated. To address concerns, council members discussed options such as phasing the project to reduce disruptions and preserve as many trees as possible.

Next Steps

The meeting concluded with discussions about future initiatives, including economic development and bylaw enforcement allocations. Further deliberations on these topics will guide the town’s next steps as the 2025 budget process continues.