MOPC approves 2024/25 operating budget

PICTOU - The Municipality of Pictou County will be holding its tax rate once again.

Council for the Municipality of Pictou County voted on July 2, 2024, to approve a $23,357,052 operating budget. The tax rate for the 2024/25 fiscal year will be $0.815/$100 assessed value for residential and resource properties and $1.825/$100 assessed value for commercial properties.

Warden Robert Parker said he is happy they were able to avoid a tax rate increase.

“This was particularly important at this time with so many residents struggling with greatly increased cost of living and increased assessments,” said Warden Parker. “Your Municipality’s costs continue to rise rapidly, no different than your household or business, which each year makes it more challenging to hold our tax rates.”

The sewer area rate for those who are hooked up to the municipal sewer system will increase from $325 to $368 per year.

Parker said this is up because of a large increase at the wastewater treatment plant that Council had no control over.

The MOPC will pay $6,047,900 for protective services in the 2024/25 fiscal year, which is 27 per cent of the operating budget. It will also pay a mandatory contribution of $6,338,598 for education, which is 26 per cent of the operating budget.

During the meeting to discuss the budget, Council also allotted $572,121 for grants to various community groups.

“Once again, Council was able to allot considerable funding to projects to improve our communities,” Warden Parker said.

This money supports many organizations and will help make the community safer in times of emergency as well as provide meeting places and recreational opportunities in rural areas, Warden Parker said.

“Our Council respects the tax dollars of our residents and attempts to spend them wisely and fairly.”