Casino Windsor Strike 2021
Nicholas Mercer
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
nicholas.mercer@thecentralvoice.ca
The new year will be much like the past year in Grand Falls-Windsor, at least when it comes to the town’s 2021 municipal operation budget and its corresponding tax structure.
Just as it did in 2019, Grand Falls-Windsor chose not to increase its residential and commercial taxes heading into next year.
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At its Dec. 15 council meeting, the town adopted a budget that maintained a residential mill rate at 8.5 mills, while also keeping its commercial rate at 10.75 mills.
“Our residents and businesses will continue to pay less average tax among comparable communities, while also receiving an exceptional level of service,“ said Coun. Rod Bennett, chair of the town’s corporate services committee.
The budget is only slightly lower than the 2020 number. In 2021, Grand Falls-Windsor will operate with a budget of $20,046,361.
It is just $7,791 lower than the previous year.
Leading into the adoption of the budget, plenty of time was spent crunching numbers and making sure the town could keep its current tax structure while not sacrificing the level of service to residents.
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“We worked our budget quite a bit,” said Bennett.
The adoption of the 2021 commercial tax structure was welcome news for the Exploits Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber was also encouraged by the town’s commitment to expanding economic opportunities in the health-care, mining, aquaculture and tourism sectors in 2021.
Chamber president Kris Spurrell also expressed encouragement over the town’s push to make changes in the KPMG Consulting operational review report adopted by Grand Falls-Windsor late last year.
That report had the town streamlining its operations through several recommendations, including consolidating four departments into three.
“It was a slow and steady budget,” said Spurrell.
Heading into 2021, Grand Falls-Windsor expects to spend $12.8 million, with $7.3 million of that coming from the federal and provincial governments, with eyes on finishing work on its wastewater treatment facility expansion.
The town also look to complete the upgrade work to the Goodyear Avenue parking lot, playground and ball field, along with street upgrades and design work on the second phase of the Gorge Park development, among other upgrades.
Funding was also secured for a new pumper truck for the Grand Falls-Windsor Fire Department.
On top of spending, the development plan would see a snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle trail established in the town, and council will continue to help the Grand Falls House Foundation acquire the Grand Falls House property.
“Our resiliency as individuals, as a municipality and as a province will be tested in the coming months as we make plans to recover from the events of 2020,” said Bennett. “This budget focuses not only on today, but on the future of Grand Falls-Windsor with investments in infrastructure and the local economy.”
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Nicholas Mercer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Central Voice