Deer Lake -
After a "very intense deliberation on the budget numbers," according to Mayor Dean Ball, the 2010 budget was unveiled on Monday.
Deputy Mayor Sandra Pinksen announced the town would be reducing the property mill rate, or tax per dollar of assessed property value, as of January 1, 2010 from 10.5 mills to 7.5 mills, or a decrease of 29 per cent.
"The business tax mill rate will also be decreased proportionally," added Pinksen.
Business tax mill rates vary in 2010 from 2.5 mills on assessed property value for a large hotel or motel of 100 rooms or more to 69.5 mills for businesses such as financial institutions and insurance companies.
"The budget of 2010 also sees a minor increase in tax minimums for property, poll and business," said Pinksen.
The minimum property tax is set at $495, up from last year's minimum of $350. Poll tax is set at $345 and the minimum business tax is stated as $399.
Pinksen added there would be no increases in water and sewer rates in 2010.
Targeting wellness
Pinksen said the 2010 budget emphasized wellness and recreation for both residents and visitors to Deer Lake.
"Through further development of our trail system, continuing clean up of our beach, more sidewalks and continuing availability of the Hodder Memorial Recreation Complex, we are committed to the social and economic welfare of our residents," she said.
The town will also increase spending to ensure its compliance under the Provincial Government Waste Management Strategy, recycling and increased utilization of the compost site.
Deer Lake's commitment to debt reduction was apparent, as $75,000 would be placed directly on the town's debt.
Up from last year's budget by about $400,000, the 2010 budget is balanced at about $5.9 million.
