Community News
Truro Town Council Approves 2024/25 Budget
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Today, Truro Town Council approved its 2024/25 operating and capital budgets with no increase to the residential or commercial tax rates. The budget presents a strategic approach aimed at addressing challenges, seizing opportunities, and fostering community development.
Tax rates have remained stable in the Town of Truro over the past five years. Residential properties will continue to pay $1.85 per $100 of assessed value and commercial properties will pay $4.50 per $100 of assessed value. Road Preservation Tax rates are also unchanged at $0.0525 for residential properties and $0.0475 for commercial properties, per $100 of assessed values.
During the presentation to Town Council, Director of Corporate Services, Bonnie Coulter, noted several key highlights from the past year. These included:
- Council’s approval of the new Community Plan, which includes the new Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw,
- Securing funding for the McClures Mills Road and Willow Street roundabout,
- Commencement of the TAAC revitalization project and new ballfield on Argus Drive,
- Ongoing repairs to the Colchester Legion Stadium to address damages incurred during Hurricane Fiona,
- The purchase of several large pieces of equipment, including a new pumper truck for the Truro Fire Service,
- Improvements to mitigate flooding in certain areas of the town, and
- The signing of a solid waste collection agreement, enabling biweekly leaf collection year-round.
The Town’s General Operating budget for 2024/25 will increase 10.9% compared to the previous year, reaching just over $37.7 million. The increase is attributed to a rise in property values along with the completion of several multi-unit residential properties and expansions at many commercial businesses. These increases have helped to balance out the inflationary pressures and increased costs to provide municipal services, including fleet operations, facility maintenance, and cyber security, allowing tax rates to remain stable.
The continuation of the Road Preservation Tax underscores the Town's commitment to maintaining its infrastructure. Funds allocated for road preservation are transparently managed, with details of recommended streets and costs available on the Town website.
The General Capital budget amounts to just under $25 million, including the Town’s contribution of $5.9 million. Investments include equipment replacements, facility upgrades, and infrastructure enhancements. Notable projects include the McClures Mills Road and Willow Street roundabout, advancing the Active Transportation Plan, a new ice plant at the Colchester Legion Stadium, traffic light installations, and support for the TAAC revitalization project, which includes the development of a new senior ballfield on Argus Drive.
The Water Utility Operating budget for 2024/25 totals $4.9 million, with no anticipated rate changes. The Water Utility Capital budget of nearly $2.1 million will focus on water meter replacement, treatment facility upgrades, and infrastructure repairs.
“The budget reflects the Town of Truro's commitment to prudent financial management, sustainable growth, and the well-being of its residents,” stated Town of Truro Mayor, Bill Mills. “Through strategic investments, Truro aims to build a resilient and thriving community for generations to come.”
To learn more about Council’s strategic priorities, please visit the Town’s website at www.truro.ca.
For more information contact:
Bonnie Coulter CPA, CA
Director of Corporate Services
Town of Truro
(902) 895-4484 or
Or
Alison Grant
Manager of Strategic Initiatives and Communications
Town of Truro
(902)893-1424 or
Minimum Building and Housing Maintenance Standards Bylaw
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April 22, 2024
Minimum Building and Housing Maintenance Standards Bylaw
Pursuant to Section 168(2) of the Municipal Government Act, notice is hereby given that on April 8, 2024, Town Council gave the first reading to amend the Minimum Building and Housing Maintenance Standards Bylaw. The purpose of the amendment is to allow for more timely enforcement, reduce limitations for expedited enforcement against repeat offenders of the Bylaw, and allow for the Bylaw Enforcement Officer to enforce the Bylaw in addition to the Building Inspectors.
Council proposes to consider this amendment, and the second reading will occur on Monday, May 6, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the 3rd Floor of the Town Hall, 695 Prince Street.
Details of this amendment are available at the Planning and Development Office, 695 Prince Street, 2nd floor, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
M. W. Dolter, CAO
Truro Heritage Awards
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The Town of Truro Heritage Advisory Committee is accepting nominations for its annual Heritage Award.
Recognition is given to projects that celebrate, conserve, and enhance Truro’s natural and built heritage, including preservation, reconstruction, restoration, adaptation, additions, and construction and demonstrate a commitment to quality in terms of aesthetics, design, and artistry.
The nomination form and criteria details about the Robert Hilchey Memorial Heritage Award can be downloaded here: pdf Truro Heritage Awards Nomination Form(1.82 MB) or submitted online at: https://arcg.is/1nWnPK0
NOMINATION DEADLINE: APRIL 30TH, 2024.
