The local government of Maple Hills has approved its first budget since being incorporated.
Councillors voted on Wednesday to adopt the nearly $3.9-million operating budget for 2024.
The shared residential tax rate has been set at 33.72 cents per $100 of assessment, an average increase of around one cent.
Those rates may vary for parts of the rural community that have streetlights, according to the municipality.
“I am very proud of Council for exercising its due diligence in determining next year’s operational budget,” Mayor Erica Warren said in a news release.
“Although we were facing larger than normal cost of living increases, Council was still able to find a few items to eliminate or reduce to keep rates as low as possible.”
Maple Hills offers fire protection, emergency measures, animal control, planning, garbage collection, streetlights, and the new provincially mandated services provided by the Southeast Regional Service Commission.
Several services have seen a significant increase in the cost of living during the last year. Garbage collection costs saw a 32 per cent increase ($167,000) and fire protection has increased 11 per cent ($107,000).
A special provincial levy is paid by residents for services provided by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. This rate for 2024 will remain the same at 41.15 cents.
Other services, including the cost of policing, have an estimated rate of 16.88 cents. These two rates are added to the rate set by Maple Hills to establish the total local government tax rate.
Meanwhile, Maple Hills has agreed to take over construction of the new recreational hub project from the Irishtown Community Centre board due to a funding shortfall. The provincial and federal governments have already invested $4.2 million in the new building.
“Council felt that this new building was an opportunity for Maple Hills to have a place for residents to congregate, and enjoy recreation, sports, and cultural events,” said Warren.
The building will include the new local government offices, community meeting spaces, a community gym/high-end performance basketball courts, and eventually a fitness center.
Warren said council will undertake a more complete strategic planning exercise to help with long-term priorities for the newly created rural community in 2024.
Details of public consultation sessions for the elaboration of the plan will be shared on the rural community’s website when information becomes available.
